This Week in Startups
Castelion Hypersonic Missiles and Crunchbase’s AI Powered Predictions | E2088
Feb 22, 2025
Bryon Hargis, CEO of Castelion, discusses the U.S. hypersonic technology gap with China and the innovative developments in affordable long-range munitions. He highlights the challenges in the defense sector's production capabilities and the pressing need for advancements. Meanwhile, Jager McConnell, CEO of Crunchbase, shares insights on their new AI-driven predictive models, discussing how these tools enhance understanding of market trends while ensuring user privacy. Both guests underline the significant shifts and opportunities in their respective fields.
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Quick takeaways
- The urgent need for affordable defense technology in the U.S. is emphasized, particularly for scalable production of hypersonic missiles to deter adversaries.
- Hypersonic technology, defined as speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, presents a significant challenge due to its unpredictable trajectory compared to traditional missiles.
Deep dives
The Need for Affordable Defense Technology
The podcast highlights the urgent need for affordable defense technology in the U.S. military, particularly in the context of long-range missile production. Currently, the production capabilities are shockingly low, with the potential to produce only dozens of high-end missiles per year. The discussion emphasizes that a large quantity, defined as thousands or tens of thousands, is necessary to deter adversaries like China. Acknowledging that existing systems are costly and produce limited quantities suggests a pressing requirement to innovate and manufacture at scale.
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