Bloomberg Businessweek ICYMI: AI Driving Next-Gen Drones
Jun 6, 2025
Florian Seibel, co-founder and CEO of Quantum-Systems GmbH, has a background as a former German army helicopter pilot and is now a leader in drone technology. He discusses the dramatic evolution of drones in warfare, particularly their role in the Ukraine conflict where they majorly impact military operations. Seibel reveals how AI enables drones to operate under challenging conditions like Russian jamming. He also touches on the complex global sales regulations facing the drone industry and the contrasting innovation landscapes in Munich and Silicon Valley.
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Drones Used for Reconnaissance
- Quantum Systems' drones are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
- They spot potential targets and then other drones execute attacks based on this information.
Cellphone Tech Disrupts Defense
- Commercial cellphone technology dramatically advanced military drones by providing accessible components like chips and cameras.
- This has disrupted traditional defense companies, enabling the production of numerous inexpensive drones to saturate adversaries.
Rebuild Industrial Base for Drones
- The US and Europe need to rebuild their industrial bases to produce thousands or even hundreds of thousands of drones.
- Large numbers of affordable, attributable drone platforms are essential to saturate adversaries effectively.