by The Merge
Military technology, trends, and national security...presented with unique insights, salt, and wit from combat aviator veterans and industry experts. Fence in for interviews and anecdotes about the ins, outs, and happenings at the intersection of technology, industry, strategy, and policy of aerospace and national defense. Brought to you by <a href="http://www.themerge.co">The Merge newsletter</a>.
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🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/23/2022
Email Addresses
1 available
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March 3, 2025
<p>Joe “Grip” Beissner, Director of Requirements and Capabilities for Radio Frequency Solutions at <a href="https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/air" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Raytheon</a>, a business of <strong>RTX</strong>, joins us to discuss the cutting-edge AESA radars Raytheondelivers for our warfighters.</p>
February 23, 2025
<p>Jon "Stormin" Norman, Vice President of Requirements & Capabilities at <a href="https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/air" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Raytheon</strong></a>, a business of <strong>RTX</strong>, joins us to discuss the cutting-edge air-to-air and -surface weapons and effectors Raytheon delivers for our warfighters.</p>
February 16, 2025
<p>Don’t miss our <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter!</a> That's where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense!</p><p><br /></p><p>In this episode, Mike sits down with Brett “Snappy”Abbamonte, a former Marine Corps F-35 pilot now at Advanced Strategic Insight (ASI) Inc. </p><p><br /></p><p>Snappy is the program manager for ELITE (ExpendableLower-cost Integrated Training Emitter), a compact, cost-effective system designed to mimic high-end surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats.</p><p><br /></p><p>Dive into how this innovative tech is reshaping training,enhancing readiness, and solving a critical warfighter problem—offering a firsthand look at how operators are using ELITE in the field to sharpen their edge.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you're into military training, cutting-edge technology,and boosting warfighter readiness—this episode is a must-listen.</p><p> </p><p>Links</p><p>• Sign up for the <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a>! </p><p>• Support us on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/the_merge" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a>!</p><p>• <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-benitez/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Benitez</a> on LinkedIn</p><p>• <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ab21marines/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brett “Snappy” Abbamonte</a> on LinkedIn</p><p>• <a href="https://asi-inc.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASI</a> company</p><p>• <a href="https://asi-inc.com/pages/the-expendable-low-cost-integrated-training-emitter" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ELITE</a> product</p><p> </p><p>----</p><p>Follow us on...</p><p> • <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/themerge" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.instagram.com/merge_newsletter/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p><p>• <a href="https://x.com/MergeNewsletter" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themergenews" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></p><p><br /></p><p>----</p><p>00:00 start</p><p>01:11 intro</p><p>03:08 Snappy </p><p>04:49 F-35 magnifies a growing problem</p><p>07:21 the 3-solution problem</p><p>10:31 good-enough solution space</p><p>12:12 ELITE</p><p>13:51 size and power</p><p>15:35 as a target</p><p>17:45 customers</p><p>20:27 remote controlled</p><p>22:00 how to keep it low cost</p><p>23:34 creative training</p><p>25:09 how the training looks</p><p>26:47 RAF Lakenheath</p><p>31:19 SBIR experience</p><p>38:02 valley of death</p><p>38:34 end of year money</p><p>40:27 squadron innovation funds</p><p>42:14 expendable concept validated</p><p>42:50 Marine Corps weapons school example</p><p>44:40 expendable allocation</p><p>46:14 tools for innovative training</p><p>49:30 memory lane</p><p>49:45 callsign story</p><p>51:40 outro</p><p></p><p>#military #nationaldefense #warfare #nationalsecurity#defense #nationaldefense #tech #technology #defensetech #army #navy #airforce #usmc#innovation #war #strategy #aerospace #china #airpower #f35 #training #readiness #electronicwarfare</p>
John "Rain" Waters
E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot
Aviation Week Network
Defense & Aerospace Report, sponsored by Bell
Ryan Evans
Defense One staff
War on the Rocks
Modern War Institute at West Point
Nebulous Media
U.S. Naval Institute
Unknown author
Steve Davies
Modern War Institute at West Point
Beacon Global Strategies LLC
Justin Siems
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