Founding the Fight: Startups and the Future of Defense - Nathan Mintz | Part II

Part II: Autonomy, Spectrum Warfare, and the Next Generation of Defense

In this special two-part edition of Drone Wars, host Dan Magy continues his conversation with Nathan Mintz, defense tech entrepreneur and CEO of CX2, exploring the tactical and strategic frontiers of modern warfare. T
his episode focuses on the rising importance of human-machine teaming, drone autonomy in GPS-denied environments, and how spectrum dominance is becoming essential to battlefield success.
The discussion also highlights El Segundo’s transformation into a thriving hub for national security innovation, alongside a broader cultural shift that is drawing a new generation of technologists into the defense space.

Timestamps:
00:00 – The cost mismatch of modern missiles vs. drones
01:50 – Human factors and operator cognitive load in drone warfare
04:15 – Terrain-following autonomy and SLAM technology
07:08 – Autonomous agents and decision-making at the edge
09:55 – Spectrum as a 3D battlespace and tactical awareness
12:15 – El Segundo as a defense innovation hub
15:30 – Hackathons, young talent, and defense industry appeal
18:20 – Reflections on startup culture and national defense missions

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About Drone Wars

Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.