The Drone Ultimatum

Kyle Hardy, CEO of Hardy Dynamics and a former Navy Intel officer, teams up with Ashkan Bayatpour, a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer and tech solutions expert, to dive into the future of drone warfare. They explore the challenges of counter-drone operations and why current defenses fall short. The duo discusses the integration of AI with drone swarms, the evolving national security landscape, and their personal journeys from military service to the tech startup world. Humor, insights, and critical reflections on modern warfare make this conversation a must-listen!

Defense tech insider Patrick Blumenthal breaks down the latest developments in Ukraine's drone warfare evolution and the Vector vs. RedCat lawsuit shaking up the industry. From Russia's new evasion modules and radar warning receivers on Shaheds to the reality of SMR hype in defense tech, Patrick delivers unfiltered analysis on what's actually working on the battlefield. We dive deep into the cat-and-mouse game of drone interceptors, the business models driving defense innovation, and why peace talks are likely to fail as fighting season continues.Pat on X: https://x.com/patrickjblum?lang=enEpisode #41.---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimoni⁠https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #defensetech #ukraine #drones #vector #redcat #lawsuit #shaheds #dronewarfare #interceptors #smr #nuclear #palantir #defenseinnovation #military #dod #govcon #startups #defenseinvesting #battlefieldtech #autonomy

Russia’s ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine.In this episode, we’re joined by two experts with deep regional and strategic insight: former Army intelligence officer Matt Tavares, and Anna Borshchevskaya, Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and author of Putin’s War in Syria.We unpack how Russia uses frozen conflicts as long-term leverage, why much of the Global South rejects the Western narrative on Ukraine, and what’s next for Russian arms exports. The conversation also explores Putin’s worldview, the limits of Western sanctions, and the future of Syria post-Assad.If you care about how great powers actually operate outside of public view, this episode is for you.⸻Article: https://jstribune.com/borshchevskaya-tavares-russias-defense-ties-in-the-middle-east/Matt Tavares: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-tavares/Anna Borshchevskaya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaborshchevskaya/---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimoni⁠https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/

Andrew Peterson is the co-founder and CEO of Array Labs, a startup building 3D imaging radar satellites to compete with billion-dollar airborne ISR platforms at a fraction of the cost. In this episode, Andrew breaks down why government customers don’t just want imagery—they want hardware—and how selling into the defense ecosystem really works.We dig into the startup journey, the realities of firm fixed-price contracts vs. cost-plus, and what it takes to build scalable space systems that the Pentagon actually wants to buy. Andrew also shares candid lessons from founding the company, fundraising, and navigating the misunderstood world of defense innovation.Whether you’re deep in dual-use or just SAR-curious, this one’s packed with hard-won insights.Andrew Peterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-peterson-array-labs/Array Labs: https://www.arraylabs.io/Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimoni⁠https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/

Kirsten Bartok Touw is the co-founder and Managing Partner of New Vista Capital, a venture firm focused exclusively on aerospace, space, and defense. In this episode, Kirsten joins to talk about investing in dual-use tech, startup momentum, and how capital is becoming a competitive moat in defense. We discuss what founders get wrong about working with the DOD, the talent shift from Silicon Valley to DC and Austin, and why so few hardware companies reach TRL 9.From the future of hypersonics to the realities of raising defense venture capital, this is a sharp, wide-ranging conversation about building and backing serious defense tech.Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimoni⁠https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/

Austin Gray, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Water Autonomy, joins the podcast to break down the future of autonomous naval warfare.From unmanned ships that carry large payloads to the technical and political challenges of defense procurement, Austin offers an insider’s view of building in one of the most complex arenas in defense tech.He shares stories from his Navy intelligence days, dives into the design decisions behind Blue Water’s vessels, and explains how autonomy changes the economics of shipbuilding and warfighting. We talk supply chains, counter-drone systems, nuclear skepticism, and the startup dynamics of this emerging sector. If you’re building in defense or just want to understand where naval innovation is headed, this is a must-listen.Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimoni⁠https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #defensetech #navy #autonomousships #startups #militaryinnovation #dronedefense #counteruas #aiwarfare #usnavy #governmentcontracting #bluewaternavy #defensestartup #venturecapital #militarytech #indoctrination #warfighting #usdod #robotics #maritimeautonomy #militarystrategy

Paul Lwin is the co-founder and CEO of HavocAI, a defense startup building collaborative autonomous surface vessels. In this episode, Paul breaks down the company’s tech stack, their strategic approach to naval warfare, and how Havoc’s 14-foot robotic boats might reshape the future of the Pacific fight.We dive into dual-use applications, investor narratives, defense procurement challenges, and the software-first strategy behind Havoc’s growth from five people to seventy in under a year. Paul also reflects on Navy life, co-founder dynamics, and what it takes to scale real hardware in a high-stakes industry. A must-listen for anyone in defense tech or autonomy.Links to the show:⁠YouTube⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Follow Steve:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠Allen Control Systems ⁠

General James Rainey, the Commanding General of Army Futures Command, is shaping the future of warfare with insights on drone and AI integration. He discusses how drone warfare in Ukraine is influencing military strategy and the necessity for adaptability over mere prediction. Rainey emphasizes the strategic transformations within the Army and the importance of collaboration with tech industries. He also touches on the ethical implications of modern weaponry and the significance of lifelong learning in military leadership.

Miles Arnone, CEO of Re:Build Manufacturing, joins the podcast to explain why American manufacturing fell behind—and how to bring it back. We dive into defense supply chains, national security vulnerabilities, rare earth magnets, and why the U.S. can’t rely on overseas factories forever. Miles shares Re:Build’s long-term plan to re-industrialize the country by acquiring and integrating specialized manufacturing businesses. We also get into 3D printing myths, scalable drone production, and why designing for manufacturability matters more than ever.If you’re building in defense, hard tech, or industrial automation, this one’s for you.Timestamps:(0:00) Intro(1:15) Miles’ Engineering Background and MIT Experience(2:19) The COVID Wake-Up Call: Industrial Weakness and Mask Production(2:53) What Re:Build Manufacturing Actually Does(3:50) The Case for Industrial Re-shoring and National Security Implications: Rare Earth Magnets and Electric Motor Supply Chains(4:19) The Disappearance of Middle-Class Factory Jobs(5:39) Populism, Economic Frustration, and the American Dream(6:25) What to Reshore (and What Not To)(7:34) How Offshoring Kills Innovation at Home(8:55) Defense Procurement and the Cost of Complexity(9:04) Why Volume Production Beats Fancy Features in Warfare(9:57) 3D Printing Myths, Misuse, and Real Limits(12:34) The Case Against Containerized Drone Production(13:33) Centralizing Drone Platforms and Letting Companies Specialize in Payloads(14:13) How the U.S. Can Compete with DJI(15:30) Scaling to 10,000+ Drones Per Month(17:44) Government Role in Banning Chinese Components (DJI Ban, etc.)(18:10) Comparing Today’s Supply Chain Readiness to Pre-WWII Germany(21:10) Private Equity vs. Long-Term Industrial Investment Models(34:05) Slate Vehicle Case Study: Designing for Manufacturability(39:26) Mass Customization Without Manufacturing Complexity(46:37) Why Most Robotics Startups Fail at Real Factory Use Cases(49:08) Humanoid Robots in Manufacturing: Hype vs. Reality(50:32) AI, Robotics, and System Effects on Society(54:15) The Conveyor Belt Is Still the Best Robot(1:04:21) Weapons Integration and the Challenge of Scaling Production(1:09:09) Morality, War, and the Defense Contractor’s Responsibility(1:11:40) Populism, Social Instability, and the Need for Economic Inclusion(1:27:30) The Apprentice Model and Rebuilding Workforce Pathways(1:28:44) Why College Isn’t the Only Path to a Good Job(1:32:27) AI, Productivity, and the Risks of Technological Elitism(1:33:16) Civil Conflict vs. Nation-State Conflict: Which Is More Likely?(1:33:40) - Final Thoughts and OutroFollow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOSubstack: https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541X(Twitter): https://x.com/droneultimatumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/Check out Allen Control Systems (ACS): https://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#defensetech #hardtech #manufacturing #reshoring #nationalsecurity #drones #startups #supplychain #reindustrialization #aerospace #rareearth #industrialpolicy #semiconductors #automation #robotics #counteruas #venturecapital #dronewarfare #3dprinting #rebuildmanufacturing

David Ruth, Dean of STEM at the University of Austin and retired Navy captain, joins the show to discuss the future of technical education, the ethics of AI in warfare, and what it takes to build a new university from scratch. From nuclear submarines to autonomous drone targeting, this conversation spans practical experience and deep philosophical questions. Dave explains how UATX is rethinking curriculum to blend engineering and philosophy—and why today’s students must be both technically sharp and morally grounded. We also get into nuclear energy policy, drone warfare, and what startups look for in engineering talent. A wide-ranging episode at the intersection of defense, academia, and the future of war.Episode #33.Get the show everywhere! 👇⁠⁠YouTube @thedroneultimatum⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify (The Drone Ultimatum)⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack (The Drone Ultimatum Podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts (The Drone Ultimatum)⁠⁠Get the latest updates whenever a new episode drops:⁠⁠Instagram @thedroneultimatum⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter @droneultimatum⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn (The Drone Ultimatum)⁠⁠--Follow Steve:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Allen Control Systems⁠⁠##