The Critical Care podcast

Episode 7: Designing Sustainment Into the Future

Brought to you 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.

Episode 6: Embedded Sustainment with the Royal Netherlands Air Force

Brought to you 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.

Episode 5: Sustaining Europe’s Frontline from Heidelberg

Brought to you 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.

Bonus episode - How open avionics are enabling the next generation of air dominance

Establishing and maintaining air dominance has been a primary objective for militaries since the earliest days of air warfare. But as the US government and industry focus on sixth-generation fighters and other future platforms, what capabilities are required to ensure sustained air dominance of the US and allied forces? Welcome to this bonus episode of the Critical Care podcast, which is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Collins Aerospace. In this episode, we examine the role that new technologies, such as enhanced vision systems, open systems and digital aircraft architectures, will play in tomorrow’s battlespace.

How has the military placed technology at the heart of aviation sustainment?

Brought to you in partnership with Collins Aerospace Western militaries face an increasingly uncertain threat landscape, in which they often rely on ageing aircraft.  Technology is now more important than ever to sustain their fleets in areas like digitisation, open systems architectures, and more.  In this episode, we consider the role of technology in sustaining aviation fleets, asking major military operators and industry experts about their future strategies and approaches, and how they’re working together to make them a reality.  To exploit the potential of today’s technologies, militaries must develop closer collaboration and communication with industry. This will help them manage obsolescence and gain maximum advantage in future upgrades.  But why does this matter in the first place? Why is sustainment such a critical part of military readiness?