Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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 combat-ready capabilities, strengthens its warfighting posture, and expands its role in joint operations. Register: mitchellaerospacepower.org/e…

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 warning. Understanding 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 assuring allies. Watch the full discussion: youtu.be/LcSdwwMMkrE?si=L81K…

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/p…

Senior Fellow J. Michael Dahm examines how the PLA Air Force is expanding its reach far beyond China’s borders through a growing series of overseas deployments and joint exercises. Explore the latest developments in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) through our China Airpower Tracker: mitchellaerospacepower.org/c…

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=5pe_… youtu.be/F0p_t03WJYQ?si=5pe_…

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 activities for air-delivered munitions. The portfolio also includes ammunition, combat training systems, threat emitters for test and training purposes, and aerial targets. Register: mitchellaerospacepower.org/e…

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 of the spear, providing 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 capability and capacity 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/pentag…

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

In this episode of America 250: The Air & Space Power Story, the Mitchell team looks at the impact of Nevada and Nellis Air Force Base on the Air Force's fighter pilot development. Watch: mitchellaerospacepower.org/p… #America250 #AirSpacePower250 @America250

China’s Massive KJ-3000 AWACS Has Entered Production. Here’s Why It Matters. Senior Fellow J. Michael Dahm examines new satellite imagery that suggests China’s KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control aircraft has entered production. Built on the Y-20 transport platform, the KJ-3000 is expected to become a key node in the PLA Air Force’s future command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) architecture. With four aircraft now visible at Xi’an’s Y-20 production facility, the KJ-3000 may represent a significant step beyond airborne early warning toward a true airborne battle management capability.

Readiness is one of the biggest challenges facing the Air Force as Airmen strive to meet surging demand with an aircraft inventory that is old and small. Learn how AI is being leveraged to find actionable data to put resources where they're needed most. Listen: mitchellaerospacepower.org/p…

As technology advances, the stakes in space continue to grow. In @novapbs's Space Wars, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, examines the realities of space competition and why decisions made today will shape the future of security, commerce, and daily life. 🎥 Watch the full documentary: pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/spac…

Today the demand signals placed on the Air Force are surging across every combat command. From ongoing combat operations in CENTCOM, to meeting the demand for airpower in other theaters, Airmen have never been busier. At the center of all this action is Air Force Materiel Command. Join us for a conversation you won’t want to miss regarding how AFMC is executing major sustainment and modernization efforts across the force. Register: mitchellaerospacepower.org/e…

“The first move in space is the most precious move that this country will make.” At #AFANational, Gen. Mike Minihan, USAF (Ret.), emphasized that future conflicts will demand more than successful launches. They will require resilient, agile space access that can adapt to disruption, respond rapidly, and keep critical capabilities moving when warfighters need them most. Watch the full panel: youtu.be/NFl6-aC3ENw?si=Kd0V…

What would a war in space actually look like? In @novapbs Space Wars, our very own Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.) explores the realities of space competition and the growing challenges facing the space domain. "There has not been a domain that human beings have not figured out how to fight in. Why is space any different?" - Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence 🎥 Watch the full documentary: pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/spac…

Power underpins everything in space. As missions become more demanding and threats continue to evolve, the need for greater on-orbit power is becoming impossible to ignore. During #AFANational, Dr. Gillian Bussey explained why nuclear energy could be a game-changing enabler for the next generation of space capabilities. Watch the full panel: youtu.be/tqNw34_ZPyQ?si=LTul…

Updating aircraft isn't always about new engines or sensors, it's about software. Watch: mitchellaerospacepower.org/e…