Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Bringing together national security professionals and aerospace power talent to provide insight that supports America’s global interests.

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Without any funding relief, current Air Force operations are "cutting into the bone" of readiness. Listen: https://t.co/bBdj76HfTQ

[David A. Deptula @Deptula_David]

Landmark F-35 Deal https://t.co/bHlUrbsaG6

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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: https://t.co/KjlA7WIoYl
#America250 #AirSpacePower250 @America250

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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.

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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: https://t.co/j0jo7Ber9U

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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: https://t.co/z2fHsVqw0A

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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: https://t.co/lLreXuu2NB

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

“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: https://t.co/vwskS0x28S

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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:
https://t.co/z2fHsVqw0A

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

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: https://t.co/iIfyQo2gKO

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Updating aircraft isn't always about new engines or sensors, it's about software. Watch: https://t.co/XDbWsC20BN

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Heather Penney (@LuckyF16), Director of Studies and Research, reflects on the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, and why that reminder remains as important today as ever.

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

In the debut episode of Eye on China, Senior Fellow J. Michael Dahm examines a newly opened China-Laos air base built in less than a year at Ban Keun, Laos.

While Beijing describes the facility as a joint training center, its location along a key Belt and Road corridor raises bigger questions about how China is expanding military access and influence abroad.

Could this become a model for future PLA presence around the world?

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

In this edition of the Schriever Spacepower Series, Brig. Gen. Todd Benson discusses how the Space Force is delivering combat power across the U.S. Central Command theater. From missile defense and regional deterrence to commercial capabilities and coalition operations, this conversation offers a rare operational perspective on how space has become indispensable to modern warfare. Register: https://t.co/689m69lK59

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Brigadier Gen. Timothy Helfrich, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command joined the Mitchell team to discuss service plans for the development, production, fielding, sustainment, and modernization of the Air Force fighter portfolio. Listen: https://t.co/ksKioknqTL

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Talon Blue is Northrop’s so-called “loyal wingman” drone, an autonomous aircraft designed to pair with crewed fighters. The Oct. 3 flight was an important milestone for the firm as it looks to break into the Air Force’s CCA program—thus far, the service has awarded production contracts to General Atomics and Anduril Industries, but more “increments” are expected in the coming years. Read more: https://t.co/AWsZNZeFAF

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

"Defend the mission, not the network boundary."

During the Cyber Resilience and Mission Assurance panel at #AFANational, Lt. Gen. Chris Weggeman, USAF (Ret.), shared why mission assurance requires looking beyond traditional cyber perimeters and focusing on the systems and dependencies that enable combat operations.

Watch the full panel: https://t.co/srtVC298Ni

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Mitchell's Heather Penney explains why it's crucial that real field testing accompanies "digital twin" simulations when it comes to validating new engine technology. Listen: https://t.co/H40LMP3yrq

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

"More survivability and lethality than anything that's ever been delivered before..." That's the prediction for what the F-47 6th-generation fighter will bring to the Air Force. See more: https://t.co/XDbWsC20BN

[Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies @MitchellStudies]

Step inside the office of Jennifer Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies at the Mitchell Institute, and get a look at the history and inspiration behind her workspace.