Weapons and Warfare (Video)

US Air Force finding best cyber talent to use as defense

This week on Weapons & Warfare, in the face of consistent efforts by Russia and China to infiltrate America’s online resources the U.S. Air Force makes a move to attract, and keep, the best IT and cyber talent available. Host Ryan Robertson takes a look at the USAF’s plan to bring back the rank of Warrant Officer and why the Air Force thinks this move makes the most sense in the online fight against foreign interference.

Bonus Episode: Meet some of the minds behind the MindGym

Meet some of the minds behind the MindGym as host Ryan Robertson visits with a portion of the leadership at Lumena, a Denver-based startup that’s doing big things for the mental health of the Air Force.  From their humble beginnings to connecting with the USAF, and their plans for the future of the MindGym.

Air Force turns to MindGym to support mental fitness

This week on Weapons & Warfare, step inside the MindGym and see why the U.S. Air Force is turning to the team behind it to make sure their Airmen are maintaining their mental fitness. Host Ryan Robertson sits down with some of the leadership at Lumena Labs, to see how one man’s idea caught the interest of the Air Force. Plus the Army announces a plan to trim 32,000 billets within their ranks. And the Javelin is our weapon of the week.

The Air and Space Forces map out their futures and announce major changes

This week on Weapons & Warfare, sweeping changes for the Air and Space Forces as they map out their plans to improve readiness in the face of constantly evolving threats from all corners of the globe. Senior leadership for both branches provides service members with a glimpse into the direction each branch is headed in. Plus host Ryan Robertson visits with an engineer from the Air Force Research Laboratory who tells us how nature served as inspiration for one of their latest innovations in our Weapon of the Week.
Dept. of the Air Force release on Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition
USAF: The Case for Change
USSF: The Case for Change

Congress is holding Air and Space Forces back

This week Weapons & Warfare is on the road as host Ryan Robertson reports from the AFA Air Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. One of the biggest stories coming out of this year’s event was how Congresses’ failure to pass a new budget is holding back the Air and Space Force’s ability to change and keep pace with an ever-evolving array of threats around the world. It’s called a ‘continuing resolution’ and military leadership is very vocal about the harm it’s doing to America’s ability to defend itself.

BONUS PODCAST: The different versions of victory for Vladimir Putin in Ukraine

Weapons & Warfare host Ryan Robertson visits with the author of ‘What is Russia’s theory of victory in Ukraine?’ Major Marnix Provoost, who is an infantry officer in the Royal Netherlands Army and currently working as a PhD researcher at the Netherlands Defence Academy, talks about how different types of victory for Russia in its illegal war with Ukraine.

What will Vladimir Putin see as a victory in Ukraine?

This week on Weapons & Warfare, with winter slowing the fight for both Ukraine and Russia we take a deeper look at how Vladimir Putin might define victory in his illegal war. Host Ryan Robertson visits with Maj. (RNLA) Marnix Provoost who is working as a PhD researcher at the Netherlands Defence Academy. He’s the author of a piece for the Modern Institute of War at West Point titled ‘What is Russia’s theory of victory in Ukraine?’.

‘Rocks of War’, A Potential Problem For America’s Military

This week on Weapons & Warfare an in-depth look at a growing problem and shrinking stockpiles. How helping other countries in conflict and depending on China could put the U.S. in a bind. Host Ryan Robertson visits with Special contributor Jack Aylmer who reports on America’s dwindling supply of rare earth minerals and what that means for the country’s national defenses. Plus we hear from a shipping expert on the crisis in the Red Sea.

Bonus Episode: A Conversation with an F-35 test pilot

How does a Navy fighter pilot become a test pilot for one of the biggest defense contractors in the world? Find out the answer to that and much more in this special episode of Weapons & Warfare. It’s all the parts of Ryan Robertson’s conversation with Tony “Brick” Wilson we couldn’t fit into the regular show. 

In the cockpit with an F-35 Test Pilot: Weapons and Warfare

In this week’s episode of Weapons & Warfare host Ryan Roberts does a deep dive on the F-35 Lightning with Lockheed Martin test pilot Tony “Brick” Wilson. Learn why the fifth generation fighter is expected to be on the front line of defense for the U.S. for the next several decades. Plus we go for a (metaphorical) ride on the Army’s replacement for the Humvee, the Oshkosh L-ATV.