In Part I of this special two-part episode, host Dan Magy reconnects with an old friend—Jake Windle, former Master Chief at Naval Special Warfare and now a partner at Harpoon Ventures. The conversation kicks off with Jake's transition from elite military operations to early-stage tech, and how he became one of the first to identify drones as a rising threat on the battlefield.

Jake shares the origin story of Citadel Defense and recounts the scrappy, experimental beginnings of counter-UAS warfare—years before it was mainstream. From field tests at Camp Roberts to building rapid prototypes with small teams and limited funding, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how tactical innovation really happens.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring game-changing tech from garage startup to military deployment, this one’s for you.

Useful Links:

Jake Windle on LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-windle-2196b3109/)
Harpoon Ventures: https://harpoon.vc
BlueHalo: https://www.bluehalo.com
Book: MRAPs: Protecting Soldiers with Technology and Innovation – https://www.amazon.com/MRAPs-Protecting-Soldiers-Technology-Innovation/dp/0160943883

00:00 – Welcome and reconnecting with Jake Windle
01:30 – Reflections on NSW missions and transition into defense investing
05:30 – How the drone threat was first identified and Citadel’s beginnings
10:00 – Testing drone defense tech, gaining traction, and securing funding
15:00 – Navigating DoD bureaucracy, cultural challenges, and procurement hurdles
20:00 – Bridging operators and technologists to fast-track innovation

#DroneWars #CounterUAS #DefenseTech #MilitaryInnovation #NavySEAL #CitadelDefense #StartupToBattlefield #UnmannedSystems #TacticalTech #VeteransInTech

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.