More from Brian Spencer
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Should we be worried about China’s air force upgrades?
During the Cold War, the term “arms race” regularly appeared on national news and across the front pages of magazines and newspapers, framing the race for firepower between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. While the term is not used as often today, the “arms race” between America and its near-peer adversaries, specifically China and… -
China’s stealth ambitions grow with new aircraft: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare the team took a closer look at China’s ambitious development of a sixth-generation stealth aircraft. Host Ryan Robertson gets some insight into China’s efforts from a graduate of the prestigious “Top Gun” program and a former Green Beret, providing unique perspectives into the strategic significance of this advanced military… -
Army green-lights 4-in-1 tank round
In mid-January, the U.S. Army announced that the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A) approved full-rate production of the M1147 120mm Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round. It’s viewed as a key milestone in the Army’s ammunition modernization. The approval allows for a shift from low-rate initial to full-scale manufacturing, enabling the consolidation… -
Philippines joining allies in Pacific exercise
The Philippines is set to participate in the biannual exercise known as Talisman Sabre for the first time in history. Acting Ambassador of Australia to Manila Moya Collett announced the news at a maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute in partnership with the French Embassy. Talisman Sabre occurs every two years and primarily… -
The warfare potential of SRC’s Ghost Mantis: Weapon of the Week
While General Atomics and Anduril are battling to secure the Air Force contract for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, another race is underway. Smaller contractors are sprinting to get their tech onboard whatever platform the Air Force chooses. One of those companies is SRC, a not-for-profit research and development firm. The firm hopes its latest project,… -
US Army continues modernization with new IFVs on the way
The U.S. Army has a long history of iconic military vehicles, from the Willys Jeep and Sherman Tank, to the Humvee and various iterations of the M-1 Abrams. However, as time progresses, so must the Army’s fleet. Vehicles that once dominated American battlefields are being replaced by the next generation of potential icons, a process… -
Transforming the Army’s front lines: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, host Ryan Robertson explores the Army’s modernization efforts, focusing on the M-10 Booker and plans for the XM-30. The Army’s leadership emphasized the importance of these vehicles in enhancing operational effectiveness. The M-10 Booker stands out for its advanced design to improve troop transport and mission efficiency, while the… -
US Navy unveils ‘Murder Hornets’ in Red Sea
“Murder hornets” took over social media with an empty threat of an invasion back in 2019. But now, the term is returning, and on the decks of American aircraft carriers in the Red Sea. The Navy recently released a year-in-review factsheet titled “Delivering Warfighting Advantage.” A column dedicated to the service’s warfighting operations exists under… -
First woman honored with the Air Force Silver Star
Gallantry in action is what it takes to be awarded the armed forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. Capt. Lacie Hester is the first female in the Air Force to receive this honor. She received her medal during a ceremony on Nov. 12, 2024, at RAF Lakenheath for her bravery and skill during… -
AI-Powered Shield: Axon Vision’s Drone Defense: Weapon of the Week
Spend any time on social media and it’s easy to find examples of Ukrainian drones inflicting damage on Russian troops and equipment. Less visible, however, are examples of counter-drone efforts. That’s why Axon Vision and its UAV counter-AI is the weapon of the week. Axon Vision’s co-founder and CTO, Ido Rozenberg, sees the problem facing… -
Adversaries present persistent threats in 2025, can the US military handle them?
As the New Year begins, many people see it as a chance for a fresh start. However, the challenges that existed in 2024 are likely to persist in 2025, especially in the realm of national defense. Each branch of the U.S. Department of Defense is working to modernize its forces to address these ongoing issues.… -
The US military navigates global threats in 2025: Weapons and Warfare
As we kick off the new year, the United States is confronted with a range of complex and serious threats from adversaries aiming to compromise U.S. security across multiple domains. To clarify the challenges ahead, host Ryan Robertson highlights key insights from a Mitchell Institute panel called “The Dangers We Face,” featuring four Air and… -
USAF Testing MQ-9 Reaper drone for new missions
For nearly two decades, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has flown its MQ-9 Reaper drone in and out of traditional runways at bases worldwide. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), based on the earlier Predator drone, is designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and precision strike capabilities. However, as the USAF continues to…