R&D vs Procurement Dollars, Chinese Gains in Space, and Small UAS Defense: The Rendezvous — Ep. 261
01 November 2025

R&D vs Procurement Dollars, Chinese Gains in Space, and Small UAS Defense: The Rendezvous — Ep. 261

The Aerospace Advantage

About

Episode Summary:










In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Kyle “Puma” Pumroy, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, and Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
​​​​​​
Our team digs into where the defense bills stand in Congress as well as the national security impact of the government shutdown. We also discuss the latest Ukraine news, plus several spacepower developments—everything from Chinese gains on orbit to the role orbital aggressors play in modern spacepower. Plus, we explore organizational happenings, like the decision to role the ICC function into A5/7, not pursue Space Force Futures, and downgrading USAFE to a 3-star billet. We wrap up by highlighting the new small UAS test efforts at Grand Forks AFB and jump into the renewed debate on whether too much is being spent on Air Force R&D vs procurement and readiness.










Credits:


Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies


Producer: Shane Thin 


Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey


Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies


Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)


Guest: Kyle "Puma" Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)


Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International


Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs



Links:


Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of


Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/


Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace


LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/


#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous