In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with James Acuna, a former CIA operations officer and founder of the Baltic Ghostwing Center of Excellence. James shares his fascinating journey from the world of espionage to consulting and ultimately setting up an uncrewed testing facility in Eastern Europe. In our discussion we cover the challenges of delivering advanced drone technology to Ukraine, the importance of testing environments for combat readiness, and why Estonia is quickly becoming a hub for drone innovation. James also provided incredible insights into the tactical side of drone warfare and his thoughts on the future of unmanned systems and robotics.

Takeaways:

• James Acuna has an impressive background, blending CIA operations with engineering expertise.
• He founded the Baltic Ghostwing Center of Excellence to address the pressing needs for drone technology in Ukraine.
• There's a surprising gap in how technology from U.S. companies is being delivered to Ukraine.
• Effective testing environments are critical for ensuring drones are combat-ready.
• Estonia is positioning itself as a key player in the global drone innovation and testing space.
• Lessons from drone warfare vary dramatically depending on the region.
• Tactics and procedures on the ground are just as important as technology in uncrewed or drone warfare.
• The future of drones and robotics lies in automation and the seamless integration of systems.
• The Baltic Ghostwing is working to create a professional ecosystem for drone operations, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Australian companies are amongst the best companies stepping up to contribute to drone technology efforts in Ukraine.

James can be contacted on LinkedIn or through his website at https://balticghostwing.com/