The Drone Ultimatum

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/

Simone Ledeen has served in various U.S. Government and business leadership positions, most recently as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy. Her prior US Government work, including on multiple overseas deployments, influenced key counterterrorism activities, intelligence collection and analysis, as well as military information support operations involving cyber and disinformation, irregular warfare, direct action, sensitive special operations and personnel recovery/hostage issues. She is a Senior Fellow at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue where she works on a variety of issues including the nexus of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Ms. Ledeen has an MBA from the Bocconi University School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University. Her writing has been featured in The Hill, the National Interest, Newsweek and the National Review. She has appeared on Al Arabiya, Al Hurra, Asharq TV and numerous podcasts.https://www.simoneledeen.com/Simone’s Substack: https://substack.com/@signalsandstrategies1Vantage ROI: https://vantageroi.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-ledeen/--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 #China #Drones #Taiwan #DefenseTech #Geopolitics #AI #MilitaryStrategy #USChinaRelations #DefenseIndustry #EconomicStatecraft

Naweed Tahmas, former Special Assistant to the President, discusses the intersection of defense policy and innovation. Alex Moore, from 8VC, dives into challenges and opportunities in defense tech investments. Casey Perley, leading the Army Applications Laboratory, emphasizes the need for collaboration between the Army and startups to accelerate technological integration. They explore topics like dual-use technology, innovative drone strategies, and the evolving dynamics of defense startups amidst changing military needs and funding landscapes.

Is China the new global superpower? April Herlevi, a senior research scientist at CNA and non-resident fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research, joins us to break down China’s economic statecraft, military expansion, and defense tech strategy. We discuss China’s growing arms exports, the role of drones in modern warfare, Taiwan’s response to military threats, and how China’s global reach extends from Africa to AI development.China’s military exports & influence in AfricaThe role of drones & AI in modern warfareTaiwan’s defense strategy & lessons from UkraineThe rise of China’s special economic zonesOverfishing, economic statecraft, and global impact--Notes on April's WorkIntersections, CNA’s US-China Technology Competition Newsletter: https://www.cna.org/our-media/newsletters/intersectionsTaiwan Lessons Learned from the Russia-Ukraine War: https://www.cna.org/reports/2024/12/taiwan-lessons-learned-from-the-russia-ukraine-warTaiwan Lessons Learned Executive Summary: https://www.cna.org/quick-looks/2024/10/Taiwan-Lessons-Learned-from-Russia-Ukraine.pdfChina as a Niche Arms Exporter Article: https://www.cna.org/our-media/indepth/2021/08/china-as-a-niche-arms-exporterMap of recipient countries: https://www.cna.org/reports/2021/10/CHINAS-DEFENSE-EXPORTS-Small-Volume-but-room-for-growth.pdf China’s arms export data (From SIPRI, updated for 2022-23): https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/CSVResultUS-China Security and Economic Commission (USCC) Testimony on China’s Arms Exports: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/April_Herlevi_Testimony.pdfBook Project Summary: https://herlevi.weebly.com/current-projects.html--April A. Herlevi is an expert on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign and security policy, economic statecraft for technology acquisition, and the increasing role of PRC commercial, economic and military actors globally. Her research focuses on PRC technology and innovation, global infrastructure development, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).For CNA, Herlevi has published research on port operations along China’s Maritime Silk Road, PLA views of Oceania, and China-Middle East relations, and she continues to research PRC technological upgrading. She regularly participates in CNA-led wargames and was on a team that won the CNA CEO Teamwork Award for supporting the CNA wargaming team.Follow April on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herlevi--Follow the show everywhere! 👇YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumApple 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/

Bryan Clark is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute. He is an expert in naval operations, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, military competitions, and wargaming.TOPICS(0:00) Intro(1:00) Bryan's Background & Hudson Institute(4:21) Saronic & USVs Breakdown(15:05) Impacts of Drones in Ukraine War(18:21) Carrier Strike Group in Age of USVs(24:00) American Drone Production Capacity(27:01) Unitree & Humanoid Robots(30:28) How to Counter Drone Swarms(39:18) GPS Denied Components for Drones(42:01) Retooling Our Arsenal & Countering China(51:26) DOD Getting Ahead of DOGE?(54:41) Hypersonics Are Not That Great(57:06) Contested Logistics(1:00:37) Lasers Are Overrated(01:04:11) Loitering Munitions(01:06:17) Undersea Drones(01:11:08) OutroFollow the show everywhere! 👇YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumApple 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/

Dr. Casey Perley joins the show to talk about the Army Applications Lab, innovation in defense, and how startups can work with the Army.👉 Watch one of our favorite episodes: https://youtu.be/fA8x9eGvaFk?si=bpFeYTM3Gz1Z12m2(00:00) Intro(01:02) Meet Dr. Casey Pearly & Army Applications Lab (02:13) How the Army Works with Startups & Non-Traditional Companies (03:36) The Army’s Definition of Non-Traditional Companies (06:00) How the Army Identifies Problems & Finds Solutions (07:41) The Process of Getting Tech to the Warfighter (12:06) How Many Army Tech Projects Are Active Right Now? (14:44) Breaking Down a Real Military Innovation Cohort (19:01) How the Army Evaluates Innovation Success (25:02) The Rise of FPV Drones & Their Role in Warfare (31:00) Competing with DJI: How the US Can Build a Stronger Drone Industry (37:01) The History of Bioweapons & Biosecurity in Defense (41:00) How Startups Should Approach Working with the Army (46:07) What SBIR Funding Is & How Startups Can Win It (50:26) Countering Drones: Can It Be Done? (53:34) Final Thoughts & Where the Future of Military Innovation is Headed --As Army Applications Laboratory’s executive director, Dr. Casey Perley leads the mission to reshape how the Army works with industry to provide the best tech in the world to the best Army in the world. Her vision is for AAL to work from problem inception to sustainment hand in glove with stakeholders across the Army and the Department of Defense to accelerate and assess the Army’s ability to ingest innovation.Dr. Perley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyperley/--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 #MilitaryInnovation #Drones #ArmyStartups #NationalSecurity #DefenseStartups #MilitaryTechnology #DoDContracts #TechFunding #FutureOfWarfare #Innovation #DronesInWarfare #USArmy #DefenseIndustry #StartupFunding #GovernmentContracts #MilitaryTech #Entrepreneurship #DefensePolicy #EmergingTech

Nic Adams joins the show to talk defense, Capitol Hill, drones, and preparing for future conflicts.(0:00) Intro(1:20) Nic's background - Army Intel, JSOC, Capitol Hill(5:37) The NDAA(9:28) Getting $$ for Defense Tech(12:19) Steve's favorite brand, Alo *not sponsored*(13:50) NDAA and Approps(21:40) Leaving the Hill(23:11) Steve is training for the World Championship(26:37) What does Washington Office do?(29:03) Dual Use & The Defense Industrial Base(36:50) Castelion(46:11) Office of Strategic Capital(48:11) The Chinese Drone Threat(55:25) Lily Drone Fraud(58:27) Juicero Exposed(1:00:32) Catching Up in Drone Tech(1:03:00) Goal of Lobbying Firms & Business Model(1:09:45) Government Work to Private Sector(1:11:11) Why Government People Can't Go On Podcasts (1:12:48) OSC Loan Guarantees(1:14:48) Palantir(1:18:44) Outro--Follow the show and leave a review!Follow Nic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-adams208/Washington Office: https://www.yourwashingtonoffice.com/Nic Adams is a Partner at Washington Office, a strategy firm for frontier tech companies. Nic most recently served as Professional Staff Member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His issue portfolio included defense, intelligence, foreign affairs, energy, science, space, and technology for numerous different members of Congress.Nic was also a commissioned officer in the United States Army, deploying several times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and to Jordan and Iraq in the Global War on Terror.--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 #DefenseIndustry #NationalSecurity #MilitaryTech #Geopolitics #FutureOfWar #DefensePolicy #TechAndWar #CapitolHill #DefensePolicy #GovernmentConsulting #Congress #PolicyInsider #MilitaryFunding #DroneWarfare #MilitaryDrones #DefenseStartups #AIDefense #AutonomousSystems #EmergingTech #FutureOfConflict #ModernWarfare #GlobalSecurity #DefenseInnovation #WarfareTechnology

What do you think about AI and space warfare? Leave a comment!(0:00) Intro(1:08) Discussing Drone Swarm Threats(2:45) Working for CIA & a Think Tank (Clayton’s Background)(8:20) Space & Future Defense Strategies(12:04) Going to Mars Debate(15:43) Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS)(18:28) Space: The Future Battlefield?(23:00) Growing Commercial Space Industry & Defense Applications(30:25) Air Power & Drones in Russia-Ukraine(38:00) Building Small Drones in America(46:33) An American Iron Dome?(52:55) Counter-Drone Arms Race & Military Innovation (59:28) AI vs. Autonomy(1:06:00) Opportunities in Space and Missile Defense(1:09:14) Outro--How will AI, drones, and space-based missile defense shape the future of war? In this episode, we dive deep with Clayton, an expert from a leading defense think tank, to explore:- The rise of military AI & autonomous warfare- The possibility of an “Iron Dome” in space- How the U.S. and allies are countering drone swarms- What a future war between the U.S. & China could look like- Why private space companies are now key players in defenseClayton shares insights from his CIA background and current work in defense analysis, breaking down how military technology is evolving—from counter-drone systems to AI-powered targeting solutions and the next era of air & space defense.If you’re interested in military innovation, defense strategy, or the intersection of AI and warfare, this episode is a must-watch.Follow Clayton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonswope/Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): https://www.csis.org/--Clayton Swope is the deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project and a senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).Before joining CSIS, Swope led national security and cybersecurity public policy for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. While at Amazon, he also worked on cloud policy issues.Prior to his time at Amazon, Swope served as a senior adviser on national security, space, foreign affairs, and technology policy issues for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.He also worked for more than 14 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, serving largely in the Directorate of Science and Technology. He holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.--Follow the show everywhere! 👇YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumApple 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/