In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley break down Weapons and Payloads 101, shifting the focus from aircraft platforms to the systems that actually determine mission success. They walk through air-to-air, air-to-ground, and standoff weapons, explain how payload decisions drive aircraft design, and unpack why integration and lifecycle sustainment account for so much of the cost in aerospace and defense. From the 2026 National Defense Strategy to emerging signals like counter-UAS and interoperability, this episode connects mission requirements to engineering realities and business strategy across the industry.