As North America faces an expanding range of foreign air and missile threats, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies brought together experts to assess the requirements for an integrated homeland defense architecture. Nearly three dozen workshop participants spent the day nd key components needed to identify, target, and intercept attacking missiles and aircraft. Read more: afa.org/mitchell-insti…

In this episode of America 250: The Air & Space Power Story, the Mitchell team examines the impact of Colorado, and one of its most famous Astronauts—Jack Swigert. Watch: mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/colora…
#America250 #AirSpacePower250 @America250

When long-range kill chains can strike targets hundreds of miles away without being seen, warfare changes.

At #AFANational, Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi explains why automated target custody could become one of the most decisive military advantages of the next decade.

Watch the o/hpBxukr1oD

The Mitchell Institute welcomed a cohort of undergrad students from the College of William and Mary. They got a fist hand look at Mitchell's work, think tanks, and war gaming.👍

How does the PLA Air Force actually work?

Behind China's growing fleet of fighters, bombers, airborne warning aircraft, and air defenses is a command structure specifically designed to coordinate and control airpower across multiple theaters.

Understanding that structure ht into how the PLA operates today and how it could fight tomorrow.

Explore more through the China Airpower Tracker: mitchellaerospacepower.org/china/

A new think tank analysis finds a hypothetical blended-wing body tanker could offer twice as much refueling performance as the KC-46A Pegasus and recommends the Air Force buy scores of them, as the service prepares to evaluate a BWB demonstrator next year and must juggle its h a host of other modernization priorities like fighters and bombers. Read more: airandspaceforces.com/new-analysis-a…

What separates a dictator from a leader in wartime?

Drawing on lessons from The Strategist, our Dean, Lt. Gen. @Deptula_David, USAF (Ret.), highlights how history can help us better understand leadership, strategy, and the challenges facing today's decision-makers.

America’s military is not acquiring modern combat aircraft fast enough. The U.S. Air Force inventory is too old, too small, and worn.

Our Dean, Lt. Gen. @Deptula_David, USAF (Ret.), argues that properly structured and funded multiyear purchases of the F-35 and F-15EX can reduce ca’s defense industrial base, and deliver the combat capability needed to deter aggression and prevail if deterrence fails.

Read more: forbes.com/sites/davedept…

In this episode of America 250: The Air & Space Power Story, the Mitchell team looks at the contribution of Nebraska to the early years of Strategic Air Command. Watch: mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/nebras…
#America250 #AirSpacePower250 @America250

The Air Force’s future strategy for fighting wars could include arming bombers with air-to-air strike capabilities, the service said in a new report to Congress.

The report, titled “Long-Term USAF Fighter Force Structure” and submitted to lawmakers Oct. 16, said that “developing on bombers” is being considered as a way to expand the service’s combat capabilities. Read more: airandspaceforces.com/air-force-cons…

Find out more about how the Air Force is pushing the envelope to develop tactics to use new autonomous aircraft like the CCA in episode 310 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast. Listen: mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/octobe…

The Mitchell Institute is honored to welcome Chief of Space Operations, General Douglas Schiess, to the Schriever Spacepower Series.

At a pivotal moment for America’s newest military service, General Schiess is leading the Space Force as it accelerates the development of es, strengthens its warfighting posture, and expands its role in joint operations. Register: mitchellaerospacepower.org/events/gen-dou…

Why do some satellites circle Earth every 90 minutes while others appear to stand still? 🛰️

Col. Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.), breaks down the fundamentals of orbital mechanics, explaining how different orbits support everything from ISR and GPS to communications and missile space starts with understanding where satellites operate and why.

As threats to the homeland grow more advanced, the need for a layered defense has never been greater. At #AFANational, Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), explains why making Golden Dome a reality is a strategic imperative for protecting the nation, strengthening deterrence, and the full discussion: youtu.be/LcSdwwMMkrE?si…

The readiness crisis for the Air Force is so grave, a Vermont Guard unit did back-to-back-to-back deployments and had to be backfilled by a Guard unit from Wisconsin. Listen: mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/octobe…

As space capabilities become increasingly essential to military operations, questions of authority, oversight, and control carry significant national security implications.

During an appearance on @NewsHour, Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow, discusses the distinctions between Starlink and Starshield, the role of commercial providers in national security, and why decisions affecting military operations should be made through established government channels.

Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/F0p_t03WJYQ?si…
youtu.be/F0p_t03WJYQ?si…

Please join us for a conversation with Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Weapons and Director of the Armament Directorate. In this position, Brig. Gen. Lyons and his team are responsible for the planning and execution of all life cycle vered munitions. The portfolio also includes ammunition, combat training systems, threat emitters for test and training purposes, and aerial targets. Register: mitchellaerospacepower.org/events/brig-ge…

Over the past decades, insufficient funding and a strategy of divest to invest have left the U.S. Air Force fighter fleet smaller and smaller with each passing year. Meanwhile, demand for airpower has only grown. As recent operations demonstrate, manned aircraft have been the tip proven capabilities that are critical for success.

Multi-year contracts are the key to reversing the decline of our fighter fleet and ensuring our warfighters have the capability and capacity they need to fight and win for years to come.

The Mitchell Institute welcomes the Department of War and Lockheed Martin's recent announcement of a framework agreement to procure F-35s for the next 10 years. With the threat landscape growing ever more complex, this multi-year framework is essential to deliver fighter for the only 5th-generation aircraft currently in production.

Now, Congress must act to authorize and fund this multi-year agreement to ensure our Airmen have the aircraft they need to fight and win.

Read more about this landmark agreement: airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-lockh…

Without any funding relief, current Air Force operations are "cutting into the bone" of readiness. Listen: mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/octobe…