The Shephard Defence Podcast

This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace. 
Sustainment has long been seen as a downstream concern — something to be managed after procurement. But what happens when you flip that mindset?
In this final episode of the current Critical Care series, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we look at the next evolution of military aircraft support — one where sustainment is not only part of the mission, but designed into the platform from day one.
We hear from key voices across Collins Aerospace, including Chris Norris, Mike Yunker, Marc Harrington and Michael Nelson, as they explore how predictive maintenance, digital engineering and common systems are reshaping the entire lifecycle of defence aviation. They discuss how AI, real-time data and open architecture are driving faster fixes, smarter logistics and more agile support — not in theory, but in practice.
From augmented reality goggles for remote troubleshooting to embedded analytics that forecast component failures before they happen, this episode reveals how the future of sustainment is becoming faster, more integrated and more aligned with the operational tempo of the modern battlespace.
More than technology, it’s a cultural shift. Sustainment is no longer a separate conversation — it’s central to design, procurement and mission success.

This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace.
What happens when sustainment stops being a service and becomes a partnership?
In this episode of Critical Care, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we head to Vliegbasis Woensdrecht in the Netherlands to see a new model of military aviation support in action — one that places engineers not behind desks, but on the hangar floor, shoulder to shoulder with pilots and technicians.
Colonel Ted Meeuwsen of the Royal Netherlands Air Force shares how an initial contractor relationship with Collins evolved into something far deeper: an embedded, trust-based collaboration that has transformed how quickly sustainment issues are resolved — often within hours, not weeks. What began as workshop-level support for helmet systems has grown into a dynamic model of co-located engineering, real-time diagnostics and a shared commitment to mission readiness.
We also hear from Chris Norris and Michael Nelson of Collins Aerospace, who explain how this approach goes far beyond shortening repair cycles. It reduces risk, enhances sovereignty, and creates a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges.
As the pace of technology accelerates and operational demands mount, this episode shows how co-location, communication and collaboration can reshape sustainment from a supply chain issue into a strategic advantage.
Next time, we look ahead to the technologies set to revolutionise sustainment — from AI-powered diagnostics to predictive maintenance and condition-based logistics.

This episode is shared from Critical Care, a podcast produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace.
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets. In this episode of Critical Care, produced by Shephard Studio in partnership with Collins Aerospace, we travel to Heidelberg, Germany — home to a regional sustainment hub that’s proving crucial for fast, local support across Europe and beyond.

We hear from Holger Eckstein, Michael Mayer and Michael Nelson – leaders within Collins’ sustainment operations – as they explain how the Heidelberg service centre is handling everything from Eurofighter and Tornado repairs to complex electronics for helicopters and land platforms. They reveal how deep regional expertise, long-term partnerships with primes like Airbus and BAE Systems, and close ties to international customers are transforming the speed and scale of military readiness.

From reducing reliance on transatlantic repair cycles to enabling more responsive support for customers like the Royal Saudi Air Force, this episode explores how Heidelberg’s model of forward sustainment is setting a new benchmark. We also look at how Europe’s fragmented defence landscape is starting to shift towards more unified, collaborative approaches — not just for procurement, but for long-term support.

What emerges is a clear message: rapid, reliable sustainment isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential for operational credibility in a fast-changing world.

Coming up next: we head to the Netherlands to see what happens when Collins’ engineers go embedded with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, working side by side on the hangar floor.

“There is no silver bullet. Stockpiles, layered systems and partnerships – that’s how resilience is built.”

From cruise missiles and drone swarms to hypersonics and homemade rockets, modern air defence has never faced such a complex battlespace.
In this episode of Design for Advantage, we explore how militaries are adapting their air defence strategies to meet these growing challenges – and why a multilayered, interoperable, and cost-effective approach is critical to success.
Guests:
– Brig Gen (ret) Shachar Shohat, former commander of Israel’s Air Defence Forces
– Gideon Weiss, Rafael's VP Business Development & Marketing
Topics covered:
• The rise of drone and missile threats
• Why open architecture and stockpiles matter
• The economics of interception
• Lessons from recent conflicts
• Laser weapons, precision strike and offensive-defensive integration
• The role of partnerships and sovereign capability
Listen now to learn how nations are rethinking air defence – and why getting it right means staying ahead of the threat.
To discover more about the latest in defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub.
Learn more about how Rafael is shaping the future of air and missile defence with proven systems and cutting-edge technologies.

Brought to you in partnership with Rafael
As the battlefield becomes more complex, active protection systems (APS) are proving critical - not just in protecting armoured vehicles, but in ensuring they remain effective, mobile, and mission-ready in contested environments.
In this episode, we explore how APS like Rafael’s Trophy are reshaping modern land warfare. Gideon Weiss, VP of Business Development and Marketing at Rafael, and a former Israel Defense Forces commander - known here as “Col B” - share firsthand insights into how APS are transforming battlefield tactics.
From stopping rocket-propelled grenades and antitank guided missiles, to countering the growing threat of drones, APS now sit at the core of future vehicle design. But beyond defence, their true value may lie in what they enable: confident manoeuvre, rapid tempo, and decisive action under fire.
Join us as we discuss:
Why APS is now considered standard kit for modern armoured vehicles.
The operational advantage Trophy delivers beyond survivability.
Real-world battlefield experiences from units equipped with APS.
How APS integration is evolving to meet emerging threats like drones.
What the future holds for active protection technology.
Listen now to find out why APS is more than a shield - it’s a force multiplier.
Learn more about Trophy at rafael.co.il/system/trophy-aps
For more stories of defence innovation, visit our Designed for Advantage content hub