The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 173 — Eyes in the Sky: From U-2 to Reaper and Beyond


Listen Later

Episode Summary:

In Episode 173 of the Aerospace Advantage, Eyes in the Sky: From U-2 to Reaper and Beyond, John “Slick” Baum chats with former U-2 pilot Maj Gen “Jake” Polumbo, USAF (Ret.), the highest-ranking officer to fly the Dragon Lady in combat, and long-time experienced MQ-9 pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray, who has risen through the ranks as a line pilot to a commander in the RPA world. 


ISR is one of the most crucial capabilities military actors require at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. It all comes down to gaining a decision advantage over an adversary by knowing when and where to position forces to net desired effects, while minimizing points of vulnerability. While this macro goal may be timeless, the means of securing ISR data has evolved markedly. This episode will focus on this evolution by exploring the U-2, a Cold War icon manned ISR aircraft, and then discuss the uncrewed ISR mission through the lens of the MQ-9 Reaper, which can execute ISR, while also employ kinetic strike capabilities and a range of other functions. Both aircraft are tremendously capable, yet they speak to requirements from different eras. This is an incredible set of perspectives from some of the top experts who have “been there and done that”—you’ll definitely want to listen.

Credits:

Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj Gen H.D. "Jake" Polumbo, Jr., USAF (Ret.), Founding Partner and Senior Consultant, Two Blue Aces

Guest: Lt Col John Duray, Commander, 9th Attack Squadron, Holloman AFB, USAF

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 #space #system #GeneralAtomics

Thank you for your continued support!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Aerospace AdvantageBy The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

101 ratings


More shows like The Aerospace Advantage

View all
War on the Rocks by Ryan Evans

War on the Rocks

1,064 Listeners

Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast by Aviation Week Network

Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

395 Listeners

Modern War Institute by Modern War Institute at West Point

Modern War Institute

778 Listeners

The President’s Inbox by Council on Foreign Relations

The President’s Inbox

711 Listeners

Defense & Aerospace Report by Defense & Aerospace Report, sponsored by Bell

Defense & Aerospace Report

140 Listeners

Defense One Radio by Defense One staff

Defense One Radio

141 Listeners

Fighter Pilot Podcast by E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot

Fighter Pilot Podcast

1,867 Listeners

Net Assessment by War on the Rocks

Net Assessment

413 Listeners

Urban Warfare Project by John Spencer

Urban Warfare Project

217 Listeners

The Afterburn Podcast by John "Rain" Waters

The Afterburn Podcast

923 Listeners

Irregular Warfare Podcast by Irregular Warfare Initiative

Irregular Warfare Podcast

404 Listeners

The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast by aerospacenation

The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

12 Listeners

School of War by Nebulous Media

School of War

443 Listeners

The Merge by The Merge

The Merge

347 Listeners

NatSec Matters by Beacon Global Strategies LLC

NatSec Matters

257 Listeners