The Drone Ultimatum

Jeff Wright, founder and CEO of SplashOne Robotics, joins the show to discuss how his company is developing small, purpose-built fighter drones to redefine air superiority. A former Marine and Air Force Special Tactics Officer, Wright brings a warfighter’s perspective to modern defense tech — from the limits of current counter-drone systems to the coming shift toward autonomous, air-to-air combat.We cover the “drone bubble” shaping defense startups, how SplashOne is tackling the kill chain end-to-end, and why bullets—not missiles—may define the next era of air defense. Wright also shares what he learned leading drone initiatives across INDOPACOM, why he built his first prototypes in his garage, and what it takes to found a defense startup straight out of uniform.This episode goes deep on the future of air combat, the realities of defense innovation, and the mindset required to build the next generation of fighter drones.Episode #49.Links to the show:⁠YouTube⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Follow Steve:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠Allen Control Systems

Max Vozoff, Chief Technology Officer at X-Bow Systems, joins the show to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities in America’s solid rocket motor industry.With decades of experience, including early work at SpaceX, Vozoff explains why the U.S. is facing a “Sputnik moment” in hypersonics and energetics — and how X-Bow is building new manufacturing methods to meet the demand.We dive into X-Bow’s “rocket factory in a box,” distributed production concepts, and their growing role as a second source supplier for hypersonic weapons. Vozoff also shares lessons from startup scaling, his perspective on contracting bottlenecks in defense, and what it will take for America to regain an edge in critical propulsion technology.This is a rare insider’s look at the transformation of one of the defense sector’s most overlooked but essential industries.X-Bow Systems: https://www.xbowsystems.com/Episode #48.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems

Todd Graetz, co-founder and CEO of Aerolane, joins the show to share how his aviation startup is reimagining air cargo with autonomous glider-based aircraft. From his early work launching one of the first large-scale drone programs at BNSF Railway to building Aerolane's innovative “air cart” system, Graetz has been at the forefront of UAV and aerospace innovation for over a decade.We discuss the challenges of scaling U.S. drone manufacturing, the realities of FAA regulation, and why bans on Chinese drones won’t solve the underlying problems. Graetz also reflects on recruiting rare engineering talent, lessons learned from entrepreneurship inside a Fortune 500, and the future of autonomous cargo transport. This is a deep insider’s look at drones, aviation, and what it takes to change how goods move through the sky.Todd Graetz: LinkedInEpisode #47.Links to the show: YouTube Spotify Substack Apple Podcasts Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedInFollow Steve: LinkedIn X (Twitter) Allen Control Systems

Jon Dandrow, CEO of Radenso and Strikeman, joins the show to talk about building advanced radar detection systems, modular sensing hardware, and consumer-to-defense innovation.From hacking traffic cameras in his college years to leading dual-use technology companies, Dandrow shares the unconventional path that brought him into the defense world. We dive into how modular, FPGA-powered platforms are reshaping signals intelligence and CUAS, the challenges of manufacturing in the U.S. versus China, and why full-stack engineering capability matters.He also opens up about funding strategies, lessons learned from past startups, and the realities of operating at the intersection of consumer electronics and defense tech.Episode #46Companies & Guest Radenso Strikeman Jon Dandrow on LinkedInLinks to the Show YouTube Spotify Substack Apple Podcasts Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedInFollow Steve LinkedIn X (Twitter) Allen Control Systems#podcast #defensetech #militaryinnovation #startups #govcon #dod #dualuse #radar #signalsintelligence #cua #counteruas #ai #fpga #hardware #manufacturing #china #startuplife #venturecapital #innovation #usmilitary #technology

Matt McCrann, U.S. Navy veteran and CEO of DroneShield US, joins the show to talk about the evolving fight against drone threats. From handheld jammers like the DroneGun MkIV to advanced sensor fusion and AI-powered RF detection, DroneShield is building modular tools for defense and homeland security. We dig into the cat-and-mouse game with adversary drones, lessons from Ukraine, and how modular hardware and software-defined jamming keep pace with new threats. McCrann also shares insights on working with the DoD, DHS, and allies, the role of startups in defense, and where unmanned ground and maritime systems are headed. A candid, insider look at one of the leading companies shaping the counter-UAS space.Links to the show on all platforms: YouTube Spotify Substack Apple Podcasts Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedInFollow Steve: LinkedIn X (Twitter) Allen Control Systems

Troy Demmer is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gecko Robotics, the industrial tech company behind wall-climbing inspection robots and the full-stack software platform reshaping how we manage critical infrastructure. In this episode, Troy breaks down Gecko’s origin story, their second act in defense, and why hardware is just the wedge.We talk about the staggering cost of industrial maintenance, the Navy’s sustainment crisis, the failure of legacy digital twin initiatives, and how Gecko’s modular robots collect structured data across steel, concrete, and rotating equipment. Troy also shares his startup lessons from building in Pittsburgh, fundraising from Sam Altman and Founders Fund, and his view on what defense tech gets wrong. One of the sharpest, most underrated founders in the game.Episode #44.---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 #startups #militaryinnovation #robotics #dualuse #geckorobotics #navy #infra #criticalinfrastructure #manufacturing #dod #sustainment #militaryreadiness #foundersfund #hardwarestartups #yc #ai #industrialtech #austintx #venturecapital

Mike Canty, co-founder and CEO of Armaments Research Company, joins the show to discuss the future of defense tech and the realities of building hardware startups for the Pentagon. A former Army major, Mike now leads ARC in developing AI-enabled weapon sensors that turn rifles into data-driven decision systems. We get into his founder journey from bootstrapping hardware to selling a previous startup to DoorDash, the challenges of raising money in defense before it was “cool,” and the realities of selling to the U.S. military. From Ukraine’s frontlines to U.S. Army test brigades, this conversation digs into drones, jamming, venture funding, and how defense startups survive in a world still dominated by the primes. If you want to understand the real mechanics behind defense innovation, this is a must-listen.Episode #43.---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 #militaryinnovation #startups #dod #army #airforce #navy #defenseindustry #counteruas #drones #ai #weaponsystems #iot #tacticaltech #militarytechnology #nationalsecurity #venturecapital #govcon #warfighter #miltech

Kyle Hardy, CEO of Hardy Dynamics, and Ashkan Bayatpour, U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, join the show to break down the future of drone warfare and the challenges of building software for autonomous swarms. We dig into the reality of counter-drone operations, why electronic warfare and lasers fall short, and why kinetic defenses are still the only reliable option. The conversation covers AI integration, vendor lock problems, DOD acquisition hurdles, and the rapidly evolving threat landscape in Ukraine and beyond. Hardy and Bayatpour also share their personal paths from Navy intel to defense startups, and what it takes to bridge the gap between commercial innovation and national security.Episode #42.---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 #drones #dronewarfare #counteruas #defensetech #militaryinnovation #dod #navyintel #startups #artificialintelligence #droneai #uas #uaswarfare #militarytech #aerospace #dronecountermeasures #droneindustry #natsec #dronepolicy #militarydrones #defensestartups

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 leads the U.S. Army’s effort to prepare for the next war. As the Commanding General of Army Futures Command, he’s focused on adapting to a battlefield shaped by drones, autonomy, and AI. In this conversation, he breaks down how drone warfare in Ukraine is reshaping military thinking, why adaptability—not prediction—is the key to readiness, and how the Army is transforming its doctrine, org charts, and tech stack.We also cover advanced weapons systems, IVAS, industrial base mobilization, and why the Army must stay focused on lethality above all else. If you want a clear-eyed view of how military transformation actually happens, start here.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramTwitter/XLinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInTwitter/XAllen Control Systems #podcast #generalrainey #armyfuturescommand #defensetech #militaryinnovation #drones #counteruas #autonomousweapons #usasarmy #militarytransformation #aiwarfare #uas #defensestartups #warfighting #militarystrategy #usdefense #dod #militarytechnology #armytransformation #ivassystem #militarylogistics

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##

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, breaks down the global drone war that’s unfolding in real time. From prison drops to battlefield swarms, Monnik reveals how DroneSec tracks drone threats across the world and delivers that intelligence to military and government clients—putting raw, open-source drone warfare data into actionable hands.DroneSec: https://dronesec.com/Mike Monnik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-monnik-23026a75/Follow the show everywhere! 👇Substack: 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/#podcast #DroneWarfare #DefenseTech #CounterUAS #FPVdrones #DroneIntelligence #DroneSec #MilitaryAI #BattlefieldInnovation #KineticDefense #NationalSecurity

Venture capitalist and Anomaly Fund founder Patrick Blumenthal joins the pod to talk frontier tech, reindustrialization, and the future of defense. (0:00) - Intro(0:52) - Defense Spending and Threats from China(2:18) - Patrick Blumenthal and the Anomaly Fund(4:21) - Defense-Focused Venture Investing(10:24) - Pulsar L and Counter-Drone Innovation(13:01) - Fiber-Optic Drone Tactics on the Frontline(17:22) - Ukraine’s Military-Driven Startup Culture(20:02) - FPV Drone Proliferation and Manufacturing(26:10) - North Korean Labor in Russia and Info Ops(28:18) - Manpower Limits and Evolving Russian Tactics(31:16) - Reconnaissance-Strike Complex Doctrine(34:06) - Deep Strikes and Ukrainian Drone Capabilities(39:36) - The Ukrainian Defense Tech Ecosystem(42:07) - Chinese Supply Chains and Semiconductor Risks(47:10) - Domestic Reindustrialization and Defense Supply Chains(50:00) - SMRs and the Politics of Nuclear Investment(57:36) - U.S. Bureaucracy and Defense Delivery Failures(1:00:19) - Defense Startups and Former Military Talent(1:05:45) - Power Generation and Strategic Infrastructure(1:14:35) - Deterrence, Cold War Logic, and the Role of Industry(1:18:01) - Closing ThoughtsFrom meme-driven funding to man-portable EW systems like the Pulsar L, this episode is a deep dive into where warfighting and innovation intersect.Patrick shares firsthand insights from Ukraine’s decentralized drone factories, discusses U.S. industrial base gaps, and breaks down why America remain unprepared for China despite massive defense budgets. We cover drones, fiber optic warfare, SMRs, counter-UAS trends, and more.Follow Pat on X: https://x.com/PatrickJBlumFollow the show everywhere! 👇YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumSubstack: 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/#podcast #defensetech #drones #startups #venturecapital #govcon #counteruas #ukrainewar #reindustrialization #militaryinnovation #frontiertechnology #pulsarl #fiberopticdrones #spaceinnovation #founderinsights #anomalyfund #airdefense #EW #miltech #TSMC #china