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 Space Forces senior leaders.
Point phone camera here
Also featured in this episode:
- CENTCOM strikes targets in Yemen.
- Congressional continuing resolution will impact the U.S. Marine Corps’ retention efforts.
- Seven soldiers awarded Medals of Honor.
- Weapon of the Week: Axon Vision’s AI-based counter-drone defenses detect, track and neutralize unauthorized drones in real time, enhancing security and minimizing risks to sensitive areas.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
Tags: Air and Space Force, Air Force, Military Defense, Military Drills, U.S. Air Force, U.S. military, U.S. Space Force
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF ‘WEAPONS AND WARFARE’, FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS I’M YOUR HOST RYAN ROBERTSON. JUST AHEAD ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE…
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
EVEN AS THE CALENDAR TURNS TO A NEW YEAR, PREVIOUS YEARS’ PROBLEMS STILL LOOM LARGE FOR OUR MILITARY LEADERSHIP. THIS WEEK, HEAR FROM A PANEL OF FOUR-STAR GENERALS ON THE DANGERS WE FACE AS 2024 TURNS INTO 2025.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
PLUS, LEANING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO PROVIDE A VIRTUAL DOME OF PROTECTION FOR TROOPS ON THE GROUND. SEE WHY AXON VISION’S AI-DRIVEN COUNTER U-A-V TECHNOLOGY IS OUR WEAPON OF THE WEEK.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
BUT FIRST SOME HEADLINES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
TALK ABOUT ENDING THE YEAR WITH A BANG.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ON DECEMBER 31st, GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYERS FROM THE U.S. NAVY’S HARRY S. TRUMAN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP LAUNCHED TOMAHAWK LAND ATTACK MISSILES AT IRANIAN-BACKED HOUTHI COMMAND AND CONTROL, WEAPON PRODUCTION, AND STORAGE FACILITIES IN YEMEN.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THE STRIKES TOOK PLACE WITHIN THE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY OF U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND IN THE RED SEA. U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAID THE STRIKES WERE A RESPONSE TO ESCALATING HOUTHI THREATS IN THE REGION, INCLUDING ATTACKS ON SHIPPING ROUTES AND ALLIES.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAID THE OPERATION HIGHLIGHTS THE U.S. COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROTECTING INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LANES FROM DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY HOUTHI-ALIGNED FORCES.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THE MARINE CORPS COMMANDANT IS WARNING THAT CONGRESS’ INABILITY TO PASS A DEFENSE BUDGET MEANS THE CORPS WILL END THE FISCAL YEAR UNDERMANNED. SPEAKING AT THE REAGAN NATIONAL SECURITY FORUM EARLIER THIS MONTH, GENERAL ERIC SMITH TALKED ABOUT THE DAMAGE ANOTHER CONTINUING RESOLUTION WOULD HAVE ON THE MARINES RE-ENLISTMENT EFFORTS.
[GEN. ERIC SMITH]
“We have Marines who have stepped up to reenlist. We’ve offered them bonuses to reenlist. They said OK we’re in. We’re gonna relist for four years and they expect to have that promise completed their families expect to have that promise completed and when it’s not, then they tend to look elsewhere and the one thing that we can’t buy back is manpower.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
GENERAL SMITH WENT ON TO SAY THAT NUMBER COULD EVENTUALLY MEAN THE LOSS OF 3,000 TO 4,000 MARINES, THE EQUIVALENT OF AN INFANTRY REGIMENT.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THE CURRENT CONTINUING RESOLUTION EXPIRES MARCH 31. THE LAST TIME CONGRESS COMPLETED THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS ON TIME WAS 1996.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
STAYING IN D-C, EARLIER THIS MONTH, PRESIDENT BIDEN BESTOWED THE MEDAL OF HONOR POSTHUMOUSLY TO SIX MEN AND ONE LIVING RECIPIENT AT A WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY. FIVE OF THE HONOREES WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN THE KOREAN WAR, AND TWO FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN THE VIETNAM WAR, INCLUDING THE ONLY LIVING RECIPIENT ARMY SPECIALIST 4TH CLASS KENNETH DAVID.
[PRESIDENT BIDEN]
“These are heroes of different ranks, different positions and even different generations. They are heroes who all went above and beyond the call of duty. Heroes who all deserve our nation’s highest and oldest military recognition. The Medal of Honor.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ARMY GENERAL RICHARD CAVAZOS, CORPORAL FRED MCGEE, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WATARU NAKAMURA, P-F-C. CHARLES JOHNSON AND PRIVATE BRUNO ORIG WERE POSTHUMOUSLY HONORED FOR THEIR HEROIC ACTIONS DURING THE KOREAN WAR. WHILE THE LATE CAPTAIN HUGH NELSON JR WAS RECOGNIZED WITH SPECIALIST DAVID FOR THEIR HEROIC ACTIONS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
FOR MOST OF US A NEW YEAR CAN FEEL LIKE A NEW START, A RESET ON THE THINGS WE CAN CONTROL. AND WHILE THAT’S TRUE FOR SOME THINGS, THE HARD FACT IS THE PROBLEMS THAT EXISTED IN 2024, WILL MOST LIKELY REMAIN AS WE START ANOTHER TRIP AROUND THE SUN.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THAT’S PARTICULARLY TRUE FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE. ESPECIALLY AS EACH BRANCH OF THE DOD WORKS TO MODERNIZE THEIR FORCES.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AT THIS YEAR’S AIR, SPACE, AND CYBER CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE AFA, THE COMMANDERS OF NORAD, U.S. CYBER COMMAND, U.S. SPACE COMMAND, AND U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND GATHERED TO TALK ABOUT THE DANGERS WE CURRENTLY FACE. AND THAT’S THE SUBJECT OF THIS WEEK’S DEBRIEF.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AS 2025 BEGINS, AMERICA’S NATIONAL DEFENSE FACES AN ARRAY OF EVOLVING THREATS. FROM RISING TENSIONS WITH CHINA AND RUSSIA TO THE CHALLENGES POSED BY NON-STATE ACTORS, THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF PROBLEMS TO PREPARE FOR. AS THE COMMANDER OF NORAD, GENERAL GREG GUILLOT EXPLAINS, THOSE THREATS HAVE GROWN FROM REGIONAL CONCERNS TO GLOBAL ONES.
[GEN. GREG GUILLOT]
“What we face today is a variety of threats in all domains, from multiple adversaries and from all avenues approach, not just from the from the north. And these threats can threaten us from much further away than even just a couple of years ago.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
IT’S THAT KIND OF REACH THAT HAS THE ATTENTION OF FORMER U.S. TRANSPORTATION BOSS, THE NEWLY RETIRED GENERAL JACKIE VAN OVOST, WHO CITES CYBER VULNERABILITIES BOTH HOME AND ABROAD.
[GEN. JACKIE VAN OVOST]
“What we’re talking about is winning without fighting. Sound familiar? There? In that every day. And then finally, we talk about the long range threat, the long range threat to mobility missions specifically designed to touch us. And these are the risks we see playing out today on an active basis around the globe.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AS FAR AS WHO STANDS AS AMERICA’S BIGGEST THREAT ACROSS ALL SPECTRUMS, THE PANEL WAS VERY POINTED IN THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. NOT ONLY IS THE P-R-C HEAVILY INVESTED IN A MILITARY BUILD-UP, THEY ARE INTENSELY FOCUSED ON CYBERWARFARE. AS GENERAL TIMOTHY HAUGH, COMMANDER OF U.S. CYBER COMMAND, POINTS OUT, IT’S A MULTI-PRONGED OFFENSIVE.
[GEN. TIMOTHY HAUGH]
“We want to expose this threat first is where PRC has been targeting, the intellectual property of our industry, which is really the foundation of our economy and the underpinnings of our department’s security. Also how they look at, over time, the critical infrastructure of the United States, we’ve exposed how they target our critical infrastructure and what that means for us as a nation, that we have a competitor that is willing to use those type of tactics to target not only the department but our citizens.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AND THOSE ARE JUST THE THREATS HERE ON TERRA FIRMA. AS U.S. SPACE COMMAND’S TOP BOSS, GENERAL STEPHEN WHITING, EXPLAINS, THE U.S. IS ALSO WORKING TO DEFEND THE NATION FROM THREATS THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE LAND-BASED AS BOTH CHINA AND RUSSIA CONTINUE TO WORK ON WAYS TO DISRUPT AMERICA’S SPACE-BASED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS. AND THEY AREN’T STOPPING THERE.
[GEN. STEPHEN WHITING]
“The PRC in particular has gone to space for the same advantages that we have, not because it’s cool. I mean, it is, but that is not why they’ve gone to space. It’s to give themselves the ability to operate on ocean wide, on continental wide, on global scales. And so they have gone to space to enable their air force, their army, their navy, their Marine Corps, to be more precise, more lethal and more far ranging. And we’ve got to deal with that fact to make sure that we help protect the joint force from the space enabled attack of others.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ANOTHER AREA OF GROWING CONCERN FOR U.S MILITARY LEADERSHIP, THE ARCTIC. INCREASING LEVELS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA HAS AMERICA’S ATTENTION. IN FACT THE TWO ADVERSARIES EXERCISED TOGETHER IN THE BERING STRAIT IN SUMMER OF 2023.
[GEN. GREG GUILLOT]
“But it shows on a daily basis that the Arctic is is a an area where a number of nations are showing interest, not only for military purposes, but also for scientific purposes. And it takes up 52% of our AOR so we spent a lot of time looking at that, how we adapting to that is pursuing sensors that go from sea floor all the way up to space in multiple layers and domains to make sure that we can detect all of those adversaries, not at the ranges that we did 510, years ago, but much further away. Because of the increased complexity and capability of their weapons.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
A CAPABILITY THAT THE GENERALS POINTED OUT WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO GROW. AND WHILE THOSE CHARGED WITH DEFENDING THE U.S. MAY NOT YET HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS THEY’RE LOOKING FOR, THEY DO SAY THEY THINK THEY’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS IN SECURE COMMUNICATIONS AND ACCELERATING THE ADOPTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITHIN U.S. CYBER COMMAND AND ITS COMPONENTS WILL ENHANCE CYBER SECURITY AND THEIR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO AI-ENABLED CYBER ATTACKS.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
SPEND ANY TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND IT’S EASY TO FIND EXAMPLES OF UKRAINIAN DRONES INFLICTING DAMAGE ON RUSSIAN TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
LESS VISIBLE, HOWEVER, ARE EXAMPLES OF COUNTER-DRONE EFFORTS. AND THERE’S A FEW REASONS FOR THIS, PRIMARILY THE TECHNOLOGY ISN’T AS ADVANCED AS THE OFFENSIVE SIDE OF THE EQUATION. BUT PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON THIS VERY ISSUE. THAT’S WHY AXON VISION AND THEIR UAV COUNTER-AI IS OUR WEAPON OF THE WEEK.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AXON VISON’S CO-FOUNDER AND CTO, IDO ROZENBERG, SEES THE PROBLEM FACING GROUND TROOPS IN MODERN COMBAT VERY CLEARLY WHEN IT COMES TO DRONE WARFARE.
[IDO ROZENBERG]
“Because what it is called loitering ammunition is basically a fixed wing or quadcopter drone that is used as kind of like a guided missile, but unlike those kind of missiles, they’ll fly very slow and low, meaning they’re under the radar dome. So that’s why most militaries have a lot of issues with this, this type of loitering ammunition.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
SIMPLY PUT, MODERN AIR DEFENSES WEREN’T BUILT TO DEFEND AGAINST A THREAT THAT COULD BE AS SMALL AS A SHOEBOX. THAT’S WHERE AXON VISION’S A-I-BASED COUNTER-DEFENSE SYSTEMS COME IN. USING A SUITE OF SENSORS TO AUTOMATICALLY DETECT, TRACK AND CLASSIFY TARGETS TO PROTECT THE BATTLESPACE.
[IDO ROZENBERG]
“So what we did, we built kind of an optical radar, but using thermal images and cameras to pick up those drones when they’re getting really close. So we’re kind of in the domain of personal protection, or tactical protection of counter UAs, and not very long range, but but for the maneuvering forces, for armed vehicles and system that you can spread out in the field.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ROZENBERG TELLS US AXON VISION’S TECH IS ALREADY IN USE IN ISRAEL AND CAN BE FITTED FOR USE IN WHATEVER WEAPON STATION THE END-USER WANTS.
[IDO ROZENBERG]
“So our system called Edge RCWS, can connect to every remote weapon station. Can be formed automated a assault rifle up to 120 meter, 120 millimeter main dive attack cannon, so it can connect to each any, any different type of remote organization.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
IT’S THE KIND OF INNOVATION THAT AMERICAN MILITARY LEADERSHIP SAYS IT’S LOOKING FOR AS IT CONTINUES TO MODERNIZE AND PREPARE FOR ANY FUTURE CONFLICTS, SOMETHING ROZENBERG ALLUDED TO DURING OUR VISIT.
[IDO ROZENBERG]
“So we have been hearing for the past kind of year or so that kind of the US has kind of figured out, hey, maybe we can be in active conflict very soon. It’s a matter of literally a decision being made and signed. So they kind of figure out that most of the kind of long range programs are not going to be sufficient for the next kind of conflict. So we’re hearing a lot kind of deep hunger them saying, hey, if it’s working somewhere, just bring it here. Americanize it, and we’ll put it on our systems.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ROZENBERG SAYS DEALING WITH THREATS OFTEN COMES DOWN TO SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS, AND THEIR AI IS BUILT TO PROVIDE THE KIND OF DETECTION, DECISION-MAKING, AND ACTION THAT KEEPS OPERATORS IN THE FIGHT WITH AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THE DELIVERY OF AMERICAN-MADE, EUROPEAN-DONATED F-16s TO UKRAINE HAS RECENTLY SEEN SOME NEW DEVELOPMENTS. IT’S A STORY WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING FROM THE START HERE AT WEAPONS AND WARFARE, AND IT’S THE SUBJECT OF THIS WEEK’S COMMS CHECK.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
IN EARLY DECEMBER, UKRAINE TOOK DELIVERY OF A SECOND BATCH OF F-16s FROM DENMARK, ON THE SURFACE THAT WOULD SEEM TO BE A GOOD THING. BUT A CLOSER LOOK REVEALS THEY STILL HAVE JUST A HANDFUL OF PILOTS TRAINED TO FLY THE FOURTH-GENERATION FIGHTER.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM, UKRAINE’S GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT’S CUTTING TRAINING TIME BY THREE MONTHS SO NEW F-16 PILOTS CAN FILL COCKPITS FASTER.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY SAYS UKRAINE HAS DOZENS OF SEASONED COMBAT PILOTS READY TO RECEIVE CROSS-TRAINING IN THE AMERICAN FIGHTER.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
STILL, ONLY A FEW OF THEM CAN BE TRAINED AT A TIME BECAUSE ALMOST ALL F-16 FIGHTER TRANSITION TRAINING SLOTS ARE FILLED BY AMERICAN PILOTS AND AMERICAN ALLIES.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
WHILE THOSE SLOTS ARE AT A PREMIUM, THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR UKRAINE SEEMS TO BE A SHORTAGE OF PILOTS WITH THE NECESSARY LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, WHICH HAS REPORTEDLY HINDERED THE TRAINING OF THE UKRAINIAN AIRMEN.
[JAKE SULLIVAN]
“We’ve had a limited number of pilots train not because we’re not prepared to train them. We are, as many as possible, but because the Ukrainians do not have the pilots to be able to build a full F-16 capability.”
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
WHILE THOSE COMMENTS SEEM TO BE AT ODDS WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS, THE FACT REMAINS THE F-16 OPERATES IN ENGLISH, AND A LACK OF FLUENCY SLOWS A PILOT’S ABILITY TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
AS FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? STAY TUNED.
[RYAN ROBERTSON]
ALRIGHT FOLKS, THAT’S GOING TO JUST ABOUT DO IT FOR US THIS WEEK ON WEAPONS AND WARFARE.
WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL TO PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS–AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE HERE AT THE SHOW YOU CAN–
OUR EMAIL IS WEAPONS AND WARFARE AT S-A-N DOT COM.
OKAY, FOR THIS WEEK’S WRAP–I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RIGHT JOBS.
OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK AND NEXT… AND MAYBE LONGER–
PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMPS CABINET PICKS ARE GOING THROUGH THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.
AMONG THEM–PETE HEGSETH FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND TULSI GABBARD FOR DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.
THEY BOTH COME WITH SOME SERIOUS BAGGAGE, AND I DON’T HAVE TIME TO GO INTO EVERYTHING–BUT THAT BAGGAGE MAY ULTIMATELY PREVENT THEM FROM SERVING ON TRUMP’S CABINET.
LET’S START WITH PETE HEGSETH–
BEYOND THE ACCUSATIONS OF PHILANDERING AND EXCESSIVE DRINKING–
WHICH HE PROMISES TO STOP IF CONFIRMED–
THE MAN JUST DOESN’T HAVE A RESUME ON THE SAME LEVEL AS REALLY ANY SECDEF BEFORE HIM.
YES, HE WAS A MAJOR AND SERVED OVER-SEAS…AND I ADMIRE HIS PASSION FOR WANTING TO MAKE THE U-S MILITARY INTO A MORE LETHAL FIGHTING FORCE, BUT FACTS ARE FACTS.
THE HIGHEST RANK HE ACHIEVED IN THE MILITARY WAS THAT OF MAJOR. THE MOST SOLDIERS A MAJOR WOULD COMMAND IN THE ARMY WOULD BE A BATTALION–OR AROUND 1,000 SOLDIERS.
THE PENTAGON EMPLOYS MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE…THAT’S LEADERSHIP ON ANOTHER LEVEL… AND IT’S NOT REALLY CLEAR HOW MUCH BUDGET EXPERIENCE HE GOT HOSTING THE WEEKEND MORNING SHOW ON FOX NEWS.
THEN THERE’S TULSI GABBARD–THE ONE TIME DEMOCRAT WAS ALSO A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF BASHAR AL-ASSAD–THE BRUTAL DICTATOR AND PUTIN PUPPET WHO USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ON HIS OWN PEOPLE…AMONG THE OTHER ATROCITIES HE COMMITTED.
WHILE I WOULDN’T GO SO FAR AS TO CALL HER COMPROMISED LIKE SOME IN CONGRESS HAVE…GABBARD DOES HAVE A TENDENCY TO USE THE SAME LINES AS RUSSIAN PROPAGANDISTS. SHE ALSO FALLS HARD FOR INTERNET CONSPIRACY THEORIES, AND WHILE SHE’S NOT THE ONLY POLITICIAN OR MEDIA FIGURE TO DO SO…I’D PREFER IT IF THE HEAD OF U-S NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DIDN’T.
LOOK, I UNDERSTAND THE APPEAL PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TO HIS SUPPORTERS. HE BUCKS TRENDS–HE DOESN’T PLAY BY THE ESTABLISHED RULES– AND AFTER DECADES OF STAGNANT LEADERSHIP IN D-C I UNDERSTAND….IN FACT, MAYBE I OVER-STAND
BUT WE WERE TOLD BY PRESIDENT TRUMP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE THE BEST PEOPLE RUNNING THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS –
SO, WHEN IT COMES TO PETE HEGSETH AND TULSI GABBARD… LET’S JUST SAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP, I THINK YOU CAN FIND BETTER PICKS.
FOR SENIOR PRODUCER BRETT BAKER, VIDEO EDITOR BRIAN SPENCER, AND GRAPHICS ARTIST DAKOTA PITEO–I’M RYAN ROBERTSON WITH STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, SIGNING OFF.
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