Authentic Media: Military Aviation Podcast Authentic Media

In this conversation, Roger and Rob discuss complex air defense, inspired by recent events in the Middle East. They explore the different types of ships involved in air defense, such as Aegis cruisers and destroyers. They delve into the concept of complex air defense, which involves defending against multiple threats simultaneously, including anti-ship cruise missiles, low-slow flyers like drones, and ballistic missiles. They also touch on the rules of engagement and the challenges of avoiding blue on blue engagements. The conversation in this part focuses on air defense control units and their capabilities. It discusses the role of the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) and the planning process for air warfare. It also explores the collaboration between different air defense control units and the concept of sensor fusion. The conversation touches on the differences between cruisers and destroyers in terms of their capabilities and the challenges of maintaining older ships. The potential retirement of cruisers and the future of air defense control units are also discussed. In this part of the conversation, Roger discusses the decision-making process for upgrading destroyers and the different baseline configurations. He explains how the Arleigh Burke destroyer has Baseline 9, which allows it to have advanced capabilities for both ballistic missile defense and conventional missile defense. He also talks about the BMD 4X program and how it is used to upgrade older destroyers. Roger then delves into the composition of carrier strike groups and the challenges of coordinating the deployment of different ships. He mentions the importance of strategic assets and the role of BMD ships in specific areas of responsibility. The conversation then shifts to the maintenance and overhaul cycles of cruisers and destroyers, highlighting the time it takes for these ships to undergo repairs and upgrades. Finally, Roger discusses the process of rearming ships at sea and the integration of US Air Force assets in carrier strike group operations. In this final part of the conversation, Roger and Rob discuss the complexities of data sharing and the potential risks involved. They touch on the possibility of sharing data between countries that have the F-35 aircraft and the challenges of segmenting and filtering the data. They also discuss the importance of planning and executing training in maritime warfare, as well as the need for vigilance and readiness. The conversation concludes with a discussion about future topics, including surface warfare and special operations.

In this conversation, Roger and Sunshine discuss the concept of sensor fusion and its importance in modern warfare. They highlight the use of various sensors, such as radar and electro-optical systems, to gather information and create a common operating picture. They also touch on the historical development of radar and the challenges of integrating different sensor data in real-time. The conversation provides insights into the evolution of sensor technology and its impact on military operations. The conversation explores the concept of sensor fusion and its benefits in military operations. It discusses the different types of sensors, such as radar, electro-optical, and EW, and how they contribute to a common operating picture. The importance of collaboration and sharing sensor data is emphasized, as it allows for better target identification and tracking. The challenges of sensor limitations, such as resolution and field of view, are also mentioned. The conversation highlights the role of sensor fusion in improving situational awareness and decision-making in combat scenarios. The conversation in this part focuses on the challenges of implementing advanced technology in military aircraft and ships. The main themes include computational power, thermal loads, power requirements, and training. The conversation also touches on the concept of sensor fusion and the capabilities of the F-35 aircraft. In this final part of the conversation, Sunshine and Roger discuss the game-changing capabilities of the F-35 and the concept of sensor fusion. They highlight how the F-35's ability to automatically homogenize inputs from various sensors revolutionizes the way information is processed and shared. They also discuss the importance of training and understanding the limitations of technology. The conversation concludes with some humorous sea stories.

In Army Helicopter Mishap Assessment and Prevention, Roger and Casmo discuss the recent mishaps and groundings of the AH-64 Apache. The evolution of the Apache has brought an increase in weight, necessitating changes of the dynamic components of the main rotor system. Our host discuss the effects of these changes on the airframe, and the flying qualities of the aircraft. The conversation takes us to the halls of congress, down the chain of command to the pilots in the cockpits. Most importantly they ask the question has pilot training kept up?

In early access episode 3 of On Future War Mike ‘Pako ’Benitez (USAF), Dr. Lance ‘Boil’ Lewis (USMC) and Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian (USN). explore the background and rationale behind the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030, which has fundamentally changed the doctrine, and operating concepts of the US Marine Corps. Removing tanks and transitioning from artillery to rocket units were just the first part of the plan. Standing up Marine Littoral Regiments (MLR), as part of naval expeditionary force, enables greater mobility, sustainability, and operations in the maritime domain, giving commanders greater options for sea denial operations. We also discuss the impact of Force Design 2030 on the other services, highlighting how jointness and interdependencies are crucial for effective military operations.

What do you do when you’ve invested billions of dollars in a platform that is no longer needed for its intended purpose? You adapt! In episode 8 of the Supersonic Bone, Ken ‘Prime Time’ Katz and former US Air Force Captain Clay Van Meter discuss the transformation of the B-1 bomber after the Cold War. The conversation starts with the reorganization of the Air Force, changes in basing, and the integration of the B-1 into Air Combat Command. Discussion progresses where our hosts explain the Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) in Blocks A thru D where software upgrades to existing systems and the implementation of the MIL-STD-1760 interface led to a significant conventional capability. Upgrades also added the Joint Directed Attack Munition (JDAM) and the AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system. The CMUP was completed with Block E which marked a major change with a complete software and hardware redesign, setting the stage for future growth.

In this episode, Dr. Lance ‘Boil’ Lewis and Roger discuss the impact of World War I on air power and the development of close air support. The conversation highlights the challenges and evolution of close air support doctrine in different countries during the interwar period. They explore the experiences of the RAF supporting the British Empire, as well as the French focus on logistics and medevac. Discussion then turns to the developments in Spain, where the Spanish Civil War served as a testing ground for German air power. The Luftwaffe explored the use of airlift, refined close air support tactics, and developed efficient expeditionary air bases. During WWII all these learnings were quickly applied by the Germans during their Blitzkrieg attacks, to the British experience in the Western Desert, and finally through the development in amphibious doctrine between the Navy and Marines where the coordination and trust in air-ground support led to victory in the Pacific.