The Drone Ultimatum

Modern Intelligence Founder and CEO John Dulin joins us in-studio for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of autonomous warfare. We break down the latest Ukrainian drone strike and what it signals about the next era of defense tech—where software, not hardware, defines lethality.From AI-powered targeting to modular DoD acquisitions, this episode dives deep into the strategic, technical, and economic transformation unfolding across the defense industrial base. We also discuss startup dynamics, factory-as-a-product models, and the rise of AI-driven competition in unmanned systems.If you’re tracking the evolution of drones, autonomy, or defense VC, this one’s for you.Follow John on XCheck out Modern IntelligenceGet 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##

Mike Monnik, CEO of DroneSec and advisor to NATO and Interpol, dives into the evolving landscape of drone warfare. He discusses the rise of drone usage in criminal activities and the challenges of countermeasures against swarm tactics. Monnik explains how DroneSec tracks global drone threats, emphasizing the importance of real-time data for military and government responses. He also explores the cultural nuances of international business relationships and shares insights on transitioning from free content to a monetized model in drone incident reporting.

Patrick Blumenthal, a venture capitalist and founder of the Anomaly Fund, dives into the intersection of technology and defense. He outlines how rising defense spending is a response to threats from China and highlights innovations like the Pulsar L counter-drone system. Patrick shares insights on Ukraine’s military-driven startup culture and the role of reindustrialization in defense manufacturing. He also discusses the implications of geopolitical tensions on the U.S. industrial base and the need for modernizing military readiness through advanced technologies.

Government contracting, but with zero fluff.In this episode, we sit down with Travis James—former Army contracting officer and now Head of Contracts at Fortera—for a brutally practical breakdown of how to actually win defense contracts. From underused authorities like 10 USC 4023 to what really happens behind the scenes with sole source justifications, Travis gives founders the roadmap most never get. We also talk autonomous vehicles, program of record dynamics, price vs. performance tradeoffs, and how venture-backed companies can play offense inside the slow-moving machine.(0:00 - Intro (1:12) - From Army Contracting Officer to Defense Startup (3:46) - How Government Contracting Actually Works (5:27) - Understanding 10 USC 4022, 4023, 4025 (8:19) - Leaving Government for Fortera (10:12) - Inside Fortera’s $93M Autonomous Breaching Contract (13:22) - How Defense Demos and Competitions Really Work (15:57) - Price vs. Performance in Government Contracting (18:33) - Program of Record and the Future of Ground Autonomy (20:21) - Selling to the Government as a Venture-Backed Startup (23:13) - Sole Source Contracts and Acquisition Flexibility (26:17) - Role of Dr. Matthew Willis in DoD Awards (29:31) - How to Win With the Right Acquisition Path (31:44) - Lessons From the CROWS Program (34:41) - Retrofitting Autonomy on Legacy Vehicles (36:58) - Planning for Conflict in the Pacific (40:06) - Dual-Use and Fortera's Commercial Autonomy Business (43:39) - Weaponizing Robots and the Case for Autonomy (47:19) - Nuclear Deterrence and Existential Risk (50:44) - Sci-Fi, Pop Culture, and Fallout Scenarios (53:18) - China’s Robotic Systems and Resource Warfare (55:36) - Why Autonomy Solves the Military Recruiting Crisis (57:13) - Positioning Fortera as an Autonomy Prime (59:42) - Congressional Engagement and Reforming 4023 (1:01:23) - OutroFollow Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travistjames/Check out Forterra: https://www.forterra.com/Follow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOApple 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/

What does it feel like to be under fire? How are drones changing warfare? And why does modern military tech so often miss the mark?In this episode, special operations veterans Chris “Gus” Jennings (5th Special Forces Group) and Mike “Rod” Rodriguez (Marine Raider) join us for a raw, unfiltered conversation about battle, culture, and the evolution of combat. We talk about their first experiences getting shot at, how FPV drones are the new IEDs, what’s wrong with defense procurement, and why tanks aren’t obsolete—just vulnerable. Plus: nuclear deterrence, alien life, and why U.S. warfighters always find a way to win. Podcast #28.Follow Gus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-%E2%80%9Cgus%E2%80%9D-jennings-61972491/Follow Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rodriguez-b23a4146/Aeon Industries: https://www.aeonindustrial.com/Follow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOApple 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/

Most VC-backed defense startups stall, pivot, and eventually die. John Ferry has a few ideas why.As President of Trenchant Analytics and a deeply connected defense insider, Ferry pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on in GovCon. We talk pivot traps, why most military customers aren’t actually looking for innovation, and why founders need to get real about the slow, messy path to contracts. Also in this episode: drone warfare, EW hype cycles, defense memes, investor delusions, and how Signal group chats are changing how the industry talks.Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnferry1/Timestamps:(0:00) - Intro (0:57) - “Be Honest” Meme and Pivot Cycle in GovTech (2:26) - SLED, FedCiv, and the Struggle to Gain Traction (4:37) - Disconnect Between Government Narrative and Reality (6:01) - Policy Shifts and Startup Expectations (8:38) - Surviving the State of Play in Defense (11:06) - Selling to State and Local? Not Worth It (13:05) - Generational Bonding and Green Beret Background (15:43) - Why Founders Need Problem Intimacy (17:27) - Customer Discovery and the Agile Trap in Defense (19:11) - Bridging the Valley of Death (20:53) - The Signal Group Origin Story (23:00) - VC-Backed Startups in Defense: Hot Takes (26:48) - The Realities of EW Startups and Investor Hype (30:48) - How to Actually Win in GovCon VC (34:00) - PE vs. VC: Who Really Wins? (37:09) - Golf Talk and the LIV Analogy (38:23) - FPV Drone Economics and Threat Evolution (40:37) - Naval Drones and Directed Energy Weapons (43:51) - Drone Buster Tech and Point Defense Concepts (48:03) - Making Soft-Kill Systems Work on the Battlefield (51:00) - Nicotine, Focus, and Founding a Defense Company (53:12) - Thank You for Smoking and VC Media (55:31) - Autonomous Strike and Warzone Realities (58:12) - Why Relationships Drive Everything in GovCon (1:00:22) - Automating Acquisition and Spinning Out Startups (1:03:00) - Focus, Traction, and Staying Alive (1:05:10) - Markets Matter and Seeing Future Problem Sets (1:07:20) - Contested Logistics and 3D Printing at the Edge (1:10:36) - Thermonuclear War vs. Unconventional Warfare (1:13:02) - Military Lingo, Signal Chat, and Soft Culture (1:15:18) - Hiring Veterans and the Team Mentality (1:18:00) - Reflections on the Early Days of Startups (1:20:04) - Field Service Headaches and Simplicity at Scale (1:22:00) - Pure Play Startups and Avoiding G&A Bloat (1:23:52) - Signal Messaging, Jargon, and GovComms (1:26:10) - The Rise of SOF VCs and Founder Culture (1:28:28) - SEALs, Athletes, and Engineering Talent (1:30:00) - DevTech Founder Personas and Sales Realities (1:33:05) - Final Thoughts and Outro Follow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOApple 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/#podcast #DefenseTech #GovCon #StartupLife #MilitaryTech #DOD #EW #Drones #Hyperspectral #VentureCapital #Acquisition #DefenseStartups #DroneWarfare #SoftKill #HardKill #SignalChats #FPVdrones #DefenseIndustry #VCbacked #Contracting #StartupStruggles

What if satellite imaging could go beyond RGB and actually see the molecular makeup of our planet? In this episode, the former NASA engineer turned co-founder and CEO breaks down how his startup, Matter Intelligence, is creating a new class of earth observation sensors that go beyond RGB to capture the molecular makeup of the planet. We talk about hyperspectral imaging, how Matter’s satellites work, commercial vs. government go-to-market strategy, and why most of today’s satellite data is basically noise. Plus: alien life, Carl Sagan, digital twins, and why the maps of the future won’t look anything like Google Maps.(0:00) - Intro (0:58) - Meet Vishnu Sridhar, CEO of Matter (2:29) - Building Cameras for Space (4:48) - The Physics Behind Hyperspectral Imaging (7:02) - Full-Stack Satellite Ops & Data Access (10:57) - From NASA to Startup Founder (13:46) - Alien Talk, Trump Quotes & Pop Science (16:09) - Fundraising & Building a Hardware Company (21:05) - Commercial vs. Government Sales Strategy (26:24) - Tracking Hypersonic Missiles from Space (30:06) - Startup Tradeoffs: Build vs. Buy (36:58) - Terraforming Mars & Space Colonization (43:12) - Data Moats & the Path to Monopoly (47:00) - Building the Earth’s Digital Twin (51:00) - Future Vision: B2C Satellite Applications Vishnu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishnu-sridhar/Matter Intelligence: https://matter.com/Follow the show everywhere! 👇YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thedroneultimatum?feature=sharedApple 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/#podcast #NASA #EarthObservation #SpaceTech #SatelliteImaging #StartupLife

Luke Fischer, Co-Founder and CEO of SkyFi, is a US Army Special Operations Aviation veteran turned tech entrepreneur. He discusses the transition from military to civilian life, emphasizing the evolution of aerial technology. The conversation explores the democratization of satellite data, the dual-use dilemma about drones, and the need for military innovation. Luke shares insights on community initiatives like Austin4America and the challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers in the competitive drone landscape, all while fostering exciting opportunities in geospatial tech.

A proven serial entrepreneur and early defense tech investor, Jackson Moses currently serves as the Founder and Managing Partner of Silent Ventures, an early stage venture firm that invests in exceptional founders building unrivaled aerospace, defense, and national security startups. He also founded and manages Silent Capital, a private syndicate that provides its members exclusive access to leading multi-stage defense and deep tech deals. Additionally, Jackson serves as a Senior Advisor to the founding teams of Castelion and Privateer Space.(0:00) Intro(1:09) Founder Support Systems(4:33) About Silent Ventures(8:50) Layered CUAS Defense(12:20) Hypersonics in the Pacific(13:02) Trump Changes to Defense Budget(15:59) Areas to Invest in 2025(20:10) Investing in Aeon(26:09) Banning DJI(30:49) DoD Requirements(34:22) Space Investments (38:55) Conspiracy Theories (44:45) Anduril (47:15) Sizing Checks & Investment Strategy (56:59) Defense Industry vs Other Industries (59:25) Competing with China (1:02:40) Texas is Great (1:05:44) Contested Logistics (1:07:25) Defense Guys Aren’t War Dogs (1:13:50) Steve’s 7/11 Dream (1:15:00) Outro--Follow Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonmoses/Silent Ventures: https://silentvc.com/--Follow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOApple 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/

Michael LaFramboise is the co-founder and CEO of Aurelius Systems, a defense technology startup building the next generation of autonomous counter-UAS. Their premier product, the Archimedes Laser Sentinel, combines high-powered directed energy with edge-deployed advanced control for unparalleled point-defense capabilities.TOPICS(0:00) Intro(1:06) Our First Laser Guest(2:29) BlueHalo’s Locust(4:29) US Navy Laser Weapons(5:51) Steve’s Sub Experiences(8:14) What’s Different About Defense(11:25) A New Defense YC?(17:14) Aurelius’ Laser, Explained(26:45) Demo Plans + Fundraising(32:58) Improving CROWS Weapon System(39:46) Aurelius Growth Plan(44:25) Importance of Lobbying(48:08) How Long EW Will Be Effective Against Drones (57:31) The Path to a $1T Laser Company(01:01:22) 7/11 Life After Defense Companies(01:10:41) Investor Relations Life(01:16:11) Founder Life = R&R (Raising and Recruiting)(01:17:54) Computer Vision and Equipment Challenges(01:24:30) Outro--Follow the show everywhere! 👇Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YOfGtOApple 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/