This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace. 

Sustainment has long been seen as a downstream concern — something to be managed after procurement. But what happens when you flip that mindset?

In this final episode of the current Critical Care series, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we look at the next evolution of military aircraft support — one where sustainment is not only part of the mission, but designed into the platform from day one.

We hear from key voices across Collins Aerospace, including Chris Norris, Mike Yunker, Marc Harrington and Michael Nelson, as they explore how predictive maintenance, digital engineering and common systems are reshaping the entire lifecycle of defence aviation. They discuss how AI, real-time data and open architecture are driving faster fixes, smarter logistics and more agile support — not in theory, but in practice.

From augmented reality goggles for remote troubleshooting to embedded analytics that forecast component failures before they happen, this episode reveals how the future of sustainment is becoming faster, more integrated and more aligned with the operational tempo of the modern battlespace.

More than technology, it’s a cultural shift. Sustainment is no longer a separate conversation — it’s central to design, procurement and mission success.

This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace.

What happens when sustainment stops being a service and becomes a partnership?

In this episode of Critical Care, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we head to Vliegbasis Woensdrecht in the Netherlands to see a new model of military aviation support in action — one that places engineers not behind desks, but on the hangar floor, shoulder to shoulder with pilots and technicians.

Colonel Ted Meeuwsen of the Royal Netherlands Air Force shares how an initial contractor relationship with Collins evolved into something far deeper: an embedded, trust-based collaboration that has transformed how quickly sustainment issues are resolved — often within hours, not weeks. What began as workshop-level support for helmet systems has grown into a dynamic model of co-located engineering, real-time diagnostics and a shared commitment to mission readiness.

We also hear from Chris Norris and Michael Nelson of Collins Aerospace, who explain how this approach goes far beyond shortening repair cycles. It reduces risk, enhances sovereignty, and creates a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges.

As the pace of technology accelerates and operational demands mount, this episode shows how co-location, communication and collaboration can reshape sustainment from a supply chain issue into a strategic advantage.

Next time, we look ahead to the technologies set to revolutionise sustainment — from AI-powered diagnostics to predictive maintenance and condition-based logistics.

This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace.

As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets. In this episode of Critical Care, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we travel to Heidelberg, Germany — home to a regional sustainment hub that’s proving crucial for fast, local support across Europe and beyond.

We hear from Holger Eckstein, Michael Mayer and Michael Nelson – leaders within Collins’ sustainment operations – as they explain how the Heidelberg service centre is handling everything from Eurofighter and Tornado repairs to complex electronics for helicopters and land platforms. They reveal how deep regional expertise, long-term partnerships with primes like Airbus and BAE Systems, and close ties to international customers are transforming the speed and scale of military readiness.

From reducing reliance on transatlantic repair cycles to enabling more responsive support for customers like the Royal Saudi Air Force, this episode explores how Heidelberg’s model of forward sustainment is setting a new benchmark. We also look at how Europe’s fragmented defence landscape is starting to shift towards more unified, collaborative approaches — not just for procurement, but for long-term support.

What emerges is a clear message: rapid, reliable sustainment isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential for operational credibility in a fast-changing world.

Coming up next: we head to the Netherlands to see what happens when Collins’ engineers go embedded with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, working side by side on the hangar floor.

From cruise missiles and drone swarms to hypersonics and homemade rockets, modern air defence has never faced such a complex battlespace.

In this episode of Design for Advantage, we explore how militaries are adapting their air defence strategies to meet these growing challenges – and why a multilayered, interoperable, and cost-effective approach is critical to success.

Guests:
– Brig Gen (ret) Shachar Shohat, former commander of Israel’s Air Defence Forces
– Gideon Weiss, Rafael's VP Business Development & Marketing

Topics covered:
• The rise of drone and missile threats
• Why open architecture and stockpiles matter
• The economics of interception
• Lessons from recent conflicts
• Laser weapons, precision strike and offensive-defensive integration
• The role of partnerships and sovereign capability

Listen now to learn how nations are rethinking air defence – and why getting it right means staying ahead of the threat.

To discover more about the latest in defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub.

Learn more about how Rafael is shaping the future of air and missile defence with proven systems and cutting-edge technologies.

Brought to you in partnership with Rafael

As the battlefield becomes more complex, active protection systems (APS) are proving critical - not just in protecting armoured vehicles, but in ensuring they remain effective, mobile, and mission-ready in contested environments.

In this episode, we explore how APS like Rafael’s Trophy are reshaping modern land warfare. Gideon Weiss, VP of Business Development and Marketing at Rafael, and a former Israel Defense Forces commander - known here as “Col B” - share firsthand insights into how APS are transforming battlefield tactics.

From stopping rocket-propelled grenades and antitank guided missiles, to countering the growing threat of drones, APS now sit at the core of future vehicle design. But beyond defence, their true value may lie in what they enable: confident manoeuvre, rapid tempo, and decisive action under fire.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why APS is now considered standard kit for modern armoured vehicles.
• The operational advantage Trophy delivers beyond survivability.
• Real-world battlefield experiences from units equipped with APS.
• How APS integration is evolving to meet emerging threats like drones.
• What the future holds for active protection technology.

Listen now to find out why APS is more than a shield - it’s a force multiplier.

Learn more about Trophy at rafael.co.il/system/trophy-aps

• For more stories of defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions

‘Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome’: Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.

As militaries seek faster, more accurate decision-making across increasingly complex battlespaces, satcom services are becoming increasingly essential. The growing demand for real-time data and resilient connectivity is driving interest in new delivery models – including space-as-a-service.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is working with government customers to expand access to space in ways that reduce costs and risks without sacrificing speed or accuracy. Its satellite services, available on a subscription basis, aim to keep pace with fast-moving technologies and the changing demands of modern warfare.

Rick Freeman, who is president of Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions (KGS), explains how the company’s satellite technologies are designed to integrate into networked battle systems – and why educating military leaders on the value of innovation is a continuing challenge.

To learn more about Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions and its approach to space-as-a-service, click here 

Brought to you in partnership with Rafael

Loitering munitions provide vital capabilities in the disrupted and unpredictable modern battlespace, from real-time ISR to a virtually “on demand” strike capability. Rafael is looking to the future of the technology, empowering systems to operate with increasing autonomy in hostile environments.

Military conflict today is increasingly defined by large numbers of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), as demonstrated by the war in Ukraine. However, true loitering munitions offer an extra complementary dimension, notably through greater precision, intelligence, and durability.

In this episode of the Shephard Defence Podcast. we speak with Gideon Weiss, vice president of business development and marketing at Rafael, and Brigadier General L, a land warfare expert and business development manager with Rafael.

To explore how Rafael’s loitering munitions are shaping the future battlefield, delivering precision, autonomy, and operational flexibility when it matters most, read more here

• For more stories of defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub

In this episode of Designed for Advantage, host Tony Skinner speaks with Rafael’s VP of business development and marketing, Gideon Weiss, and Commander ‘K’, a naval surface warfare and air defence expert, about how navies are adapting to an era of bold, asymmetric threats at sea.

From swarming drones in the Red Sea to precision missile strikes in the Black Sea, the maritime threat landscape is shifting fast. 

The discussion explores:

• How multi-domain threats are reshaping naval air defence and counter-UAS (CUAS) strategies.
• The economics of modern naval warfare and ammunition management during high-intensity operations.
• The role of layered, modular and radar-agnostic defence systems, including the TYPHOON Mk 30, C-Dome and Naval Iron Beam.
• Real-world examples of how Rafael systems are deployed to counter UAV swarms and sea-skimming missiles.
• How high-energy laser systems could deliver near-zero-cost-per-shot interception and “endless magazine” potential at sea.
• Rafael’s approach to interoperability, open architecture and strategic partnerships with navies and shipyards worldwide.

Whether you are a defence leader, naval operator or industry watcher, this conversation offers operational insights and a forward-looking perspective on maritime security.

• For more stories of defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub

Long-range precision strike is fast becoming a cornerstone of modern military capability. As threats grow in complexity and coverage - from A2/AD environments to dispersed high-value targets - armed forces must respond with scalable, GPS-independent systems capable of delivering fast, coordinated effects.

In this second episode of our special series with Rafael, we explore the evolving demands of precision strike. Rafael Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Gideon Weiss, joins Brigadier General A, a former Israeli Air Force commander and senior advisor to Rafael, to unpack how combat experience is shaping CONOPS, system design, and autonomous targeting.

We discuss:

• How precision systems are being adapted for contested environments
• The growing role of AI-powered data fusion in shortening timelines
• The strategic importance of availability, affordability and technology partnerships

Missed episode one on high-energy laser weapons? Be sure to catch up on Rafael’s journey to deploy operational laser defence systems - and where this technology is heading next.

Discover how precision strike is evolving to dominate GPS-denied battlespaces and explore the latest in AI-enable, long-range precision strike capabilities. READ MORE

• For more stories of defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub

In this special edition of the Shephard Defence Podcast, brought to you in partnership with Aeronautics Group, Tony Skinner sits down with Dan Slasky, President and CEO of Aeronautics, to explore how cutting-edge tactical unmanned aerial systems are reshaping today’s battlefields.

From the Orbiter 5 to innovations in loitering munitions and VTOL platforms, the conversation dives into how Aeronautics is building battlefield-ready solutions that are smaller, smarter, and more survivable than ever before. Slasky also discusses how a full-system mindset - integrating UAVs, sensors, communications, and ground control - is helping operators meet complex mission needs with greater speed and precision.

Key Topics:

• Why tactical UAVs are displacing larger, costlier platforms
• How Aeronautics integrates loitering munition capability into ISR platforms
• Innovations in VTOL UAV systems for land and naval use
• How in-house R&D and a full-stack mission approach create better outcomes

Whether you're a defence tech enthusiast or a decision-maker shaping the future battlespace, this episode provides insight on what’s next in tactical unmanned systems.