Behind The Front

Foreign Policy Research Institute

A new project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute on the future of US and allied national defense. behindthefront.substack.com

Episodes

  1. May 7

    The Strategy for Affordable Missiles: A Conversation with Ursa Major

    Aaron Stein, President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), talks with James Swartout, VP of Strategy at Ursa Major Technologies, about his career in national security and how his company is revolutionizing aerospace and defense. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindthefront.substack.com

    23 min
  2. Understanding Unmanned Naval Systems

    12/05/2025

    Understanding Unmanned Naval Systems

    We have spent a lot of time talking about Combat Collaborative Aircraft, or CCA. On this episode, Aaron sat down with Billy Byrne, the Director of Strategy for Defense at Saildrone. The two talked about the future of unmanned naval systems, the lessons learned from Ukraine’s operations in the Black Sea, the challenges of operating in the Indo-Pacific, and the need to have both endurance and to “pack a punch” in naval combat. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindthefront.substack.com

    27 min
  3. Continued Conversation About Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    09/25/2025

    Continued Conversation About Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    Aaron sat down with Scott “FUG” Gilloon, who currently serves as the Sector Vice President of Air Force Strategic Development and Capability Assessments at GA-ASI. The two talked about General Atomics’ CCA, its origin story, how these aircraft may be used in combat, and what the future of air combat may entail. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindthefront.substack.com

    38 min
  4. Drones and the Future of War

    08/14/2025

    Drones and the Future of War

    Are drones the future of war? What lessons can be learned from Ukraine for the Taiwan contingency? To discuss these topics and more, FPRI President Aaron Stein sat down with Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion, to discuss drones and the future of war. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindthefront.substack.com

    36 min
  5. Future of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    07/24/2025

    Future of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    How might combat collaborative aircraft be used to fight a war in Europe? Or the Indo-Pacific? To discuss these questions, and the latest from the YFQ-44A, President Aaron Stein sat down with Andrew Van Timmeren, the director of air dominance systems at Anduril Industries, about what he and the company are working on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindthefront.substack.com

    21 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

A new project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute on the future of US and allied national defense. behindthefront.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Foreign Policy Research Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Foreign Policy Research Institute
  • Show Website
    Behind The Front

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