Brothers in Aerospace and Defense
”Brothers in Aerospace and Defense” is a podcast that delves deep into the world of aerospace and defense with a unique perspective. Together, we’ll explore the fascinating intersection of technology and business in this dynamic industry. Our goal is to shed light on the achievements, challenges, and inspiring stories of black executives in aerospace and defense. In each episode, we’ll invite prominent guests who have made significant contributions to the field. We’ll also discuss current trends, innovations, and the future of aerospace and defense.
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Episodes
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley demystify government contracting in aerospace and defense, showing how contract models quietly dictate risk, margins, engineering choices, and cash flow across programs. They walk through firm fixed price, incentive fee, cost-reimbursable, IDIQ, time & materials, and performance-based logistics structures, explaining where each fits and how they shape both business and technical decisions. Using real-world examples from current missile and radar programs, they lay out a practical decision framework for matching contract type to technical maturity, customer risk appetite, and scope clarity—while designing incentives that actually drive performance. They wrap up with emerging trends like outcome-based availability contracts, digital twins, increasing compliance burden, and the rise of COTS and hybrid funding models that every engineer, program manager, and finance leader needs to track.
Key Takeaways:01:04 – Newsreel: Boeing Chinook award, hybrid airships, and the impact of a prolonged government shutdown
03:15 – Why contract types matter: aligning risk, incentives, and performance
05:09 – Fixed price and incentive fee models: predictability vs. engineering risk
08:05 – Deep dive into fixed price and fixed price incentive fee (FPIF)
15:18 – Outcome-based and performance-based logistics: paying for results, not deliverables
18:00 – Building a decision framework for selecting the right contract type
25:22 – Real-world examples and lessons from major primes
26:58 – Future trends: digital twins, compliance, and hybrid funding models
30:03 – Closing insights and key takeaways
Resources:Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS): https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarsFAR 16.2-16.6: Types of Contracts (U.S. Government Publishing Office): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-16Lockheed Martin JASSM Contract (U.S. DoD Press Release, 2024): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on LinkedIn
Robert Wesley on LinkedIn
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The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Produced by NOVA
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen (P&L) and Rob Wesley (technical) pull back the curtain on the real business of deep space. We connect market momentum—massive IPOs, fresh capital, and Big Prime partnerships—to the engineering breakthroughs that make multiyear missions and off-world industry possible. We cover the four core technical hurdles (radiation, propulsion, life support, ISRU), the bonus frontier of autonomy & laser comms, and the strategic playbook for investors eyeing lunar infrastructure, Mars logistics, and future resource markets. We leave you with crisp business takeaways: why the Moon is the proving ground, where the value pools form, and which players are poised to define the next economy beyond Earth.
Key Takeaways:
01:37 – Newsreel: Firefly IPO, Axiom raise, U.S. leads private capital
03:26 – Main Segment Kickoff: Who’s funding it, who’s building it
03:44 – Macroeconomics: Market size, growth, VC flows, unicorns & primes
05:42 – Follow the Money: SpaceX, Firefly (Northrop tie-ins), Rocket Lab & more
07:18 – Prime & Tier-1 Roll Call: L3Harris, Boeing, Northrop/Orbital, etc.
08:22 – The Four Technical Pillars (setup)
08:36 – Pillar 1: Radiation protection (storm shelters, materials, future magnetic shields)
11:07 – Pillar 2: Propulsion beyond chemical (DRACO/NTP, electric, early fusion)
13:53 – Pillar 3: Life support & habitability (ECLSS, recycling, artificial gravity; dual-use on Earth)
16:52 – Pillar 4: ISRU (lunar ice, regolith printing, MOXIE oxygen on Mars)
19:47 – Bonus Frontier: Comms & autonomy (DSN/DSOC lasers, AI for real-time ops)
22:18 – Business Takeaways: Moon as stepping stone; who owns the depots owns the market
23:19 – Personal Updates & Wrap
Resources:
Space Foundation Announces $570B Space Economy in 2023, Driven by Steady Private and Public Sector Growth
Space economy | World Economic Forum
Space industry trends: PwCThe Space Economy in Figures | OECD
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on LinkedIn
Robert Wesley on LinkedIn
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Produced by NOVA
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Duane Allen and Rob Wesley break down America’s Golden Dome Defense Program—an AI-powered, multi-layer missile shield integrating satellites, radars, interceptors, and lasers. They explore its rapid detection and response capabilities, the $25B budget commitment, the industry heavyweights and disruptors driving it, and the sweeping changes it’s sparking across defense tech, supply chains, and the workforce. This is the future of integrated national defense, and it’s already taking shape.
Key Takeaways:00:00 – Welcome & introduction to the Golden Dome
01:06 – July 2025 defense headlines
02:19 – Anduril’s interceptors, SAF milestones & industry trends
05:00 – Golden Dome overview and how it works
08:34 – Technical challenges and limitations
10:42 – Budget, funding allocations & key contractors
17:02 – Industry shifts, supply chain changes & new opportunities
20:09 – Strategic implications, partnerships & workforce evolution
23:38 – Closing thoughts
Resources:
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Statement on Golden Dome for America
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on LinkedIn
Robert Wesley on LinkedIn
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Produced by NOVA
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley explores America's Golden Dome Defense Program, a highly ambitious defense initiative. They delve into the technical workings of the program, the key companies involved, and its reflection in the defense budget. The discussion highlights the fusion of space-based sensors, artificial intelligence, and layered interceptors designed to detect and destroy various missile threats.
Key Takeaways:00:00 - Introduction to America's Golden Dome Defense Program00:18 - June 2025 Paris Air Show Highlights02:18 - Strategic Partnerships and Regional Developments03:10 - Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiatives04:20 - Overview of the Golden Dome Architecture05:06 - Technical Breakdown of the Golden Dome07:42 - Challenges and Limitations of the Golden Dome10:40 - Budget Implications and Leading Companies12:54 - Investment Opportunities and Supply Chain Dynamics17:28 - Strategic Perspectives and Future Outlook19:57 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on Linkedin
Robert Wesley on Linkedin
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley delve into the critical topic of aerospace cybersecurity. They discuss the evolving landscape of cyber threats targeting aerospace and defense systems, the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks, including zero-day exploits and AI vulnerabilities, and the significant impacts on national security. Additionally, they explore the burgeoning business opportunities in cybersecurity and the growing demand for skilled professionals in this domain.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 - Introduction to Aerospace Cybersecurity
00:49 - Understanding the Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape
02:46 - Significant Cyber Threats in Aerospace
06:32 - Industry Response to Cyber Threats
10:28 - Future of Cybersecurity in Aerospace
14:59 - Key Takeaways and Conclusion
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on Linkedin
Robert Wesley on Linkedin
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Welcome to a special edition of Brothers in Aerospace & Defense, recorded live at NSBE 2025! In this episode, we explore cutting-edge advancements in aerospace, energy, and defense with leaders from NSBE’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Our powerhouse panel shares insights on industry challenges, career strategies, and how Black engineers are shaping the future.
Hear them discuss:
The latest breakthroughs in aerospace and defense technology
How energy innovation is driving the next generation of engineering
the role of AI, quantum computing, and digital transformation in these industries
How NSBE’s global outreach initiatives are making an impact
Career strategies for Black engineers navigating leadership and technical roles
Special Guests:
🎙️ Enanga Daisy Fale – Director, Aerospace Special Interest Group
🎙️ Natasha Herring – Director, Energy SIG
🎙️ Seth Graham – Program Chair, Young Technical Professionals SIG
Resources & Links:🔗 Learn more about NSBE: https://nsbe.org/
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on Linkedin
Robert Wesley on Linkedin
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
In this special episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley tackle a crucial and timely discussion—how professionals in the aerospace and defense industry can navigate the elimination of DEI initiatives. For over two decades, DEI programs have fostered mentorship, created opportunities, and strengthened the pipeline for Black technical talent. With recent policy changes leading to their reduction or elimination, many professionals are asking: What’s next? How do we continue to excel and support the next generation?
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on Linkedin
Robert Wesley on Linkedin
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
In this special episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley take a deep dive into the most impactful events in the aerospace and defense industry in 2024. From groundbreaking technological advancements to sustainability efforts and workforce developments, this episode highlights the key moments shaping the future of the industry. Plus, a look ahead at what’s coming in 2025!
Connect with us:
DeWayne Allen on Linkedin
Robert Wesley on Linkedin
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen
Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley