Part II – Swarm Tech, Soldier-Led Innovation, and the Tactical Shift Ahead 

Brabner returns to explore how collaborative autonomy, soldier-driven innovation labs, and evolving doctrine are setting the stage for a major leap in how the Army fights. 

He discusses the integration of swarm behavior into tactical operations, the importance of bottom-up feedback from NCOs and junior officers, and how today’s decisions will determine whether the U.S. maintains strategic overmatch in future conflicts. 

It’s a look into the architecture of tomorrow’s battlefield—designed by those who’ve fought on today’s.

Useful Links & Resources
• Lt. Col. Michael Brabner on LinkedIn
• National Drone Association (NDA)

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.

Part I – Redefining Capability: Brabner’s Journey from Infantry to Innovation 

In this opening conversation, Lt. Col. Michael Brabner reflects on his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and how it fuels his mission to reshape the Army’s approach to unmanned systems.

 He shares how his transition into acquisition became a strategic move to protect future warfighters—and why the Army’s drone doctrine must evolve quickly or risk falling behind.

 Brabner explains what capability really means in today’s fight and how his team is working to close critical gaps before they cost lives.

Useful Links & Resources
• Lt. Col. Michael Brabner on LinkedIn
• National Drone Association (NDA)

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.

In this gripping episode of Drone Wars, we sit down with two incredible Ukrainian pilots—one of the country's top trainers, having trained over 5,000 pilots, and another, an elite combat pilot. They share their firsthand experiences from the front lines, where drone warfare is evolving in real time.

We discuss:

• The critical mistakes NATO and the U.S. are making in their approach to Ukraine's drone war.
• Why reliance on GPS in modern warfare is a fatal flaw.
• The rapid adaptability of drone operators and why they are not in a "safe" profession.
• How North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine could change the balance of power in East Asia.
• The role of technology and why immediate, full-scale support is crucial to Ukraine’s survival.

This is a must-listen for defense policymakers, military strategists, and anyone interested in the future of warfare.

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.

In this special episode of Drone Wars, we bring you an inside look at the evolving landscape of drone warfare in Ukraine. Two Ukrainian experts—one of the country’s top pilot trainers and a leading UAV operator—share firsthand experiences from the battlefield. They discuss how drone tactics have evolved, the hidden details that expose enemy positions, and the role of electronic warfare in modern combat.

From deceptive Russian hiding tactics to the rapid innovation cycle in drone technology, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of military technology and autonomous warfare. What lessons must NATO and Western allies learn from Ukraine’s fight? And how will AI shape the next stage of drone warfare? Tune in to find out.

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.

In this gripping episode of Drone Wars, we sit down with Ukrainian UAV operators Dennis and Yuri, who have been at the forefront of adapting drone technology on the front lines in the war in Ukraine. They share their incredible journey—from civilian careers in IT and interior design to becoming critical players in drone operations. Discover how their team trains constantly to stay ahead, how decentralization is key to survival, and why every mission requires meticulous planning. With ever-evolving threats, their insights reveal the future of drone warfare and what it takes to maintain an edge.

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.

In Part 2 of this Drone Wars double episode, guest Brian Streem returns to explore the widening gap between U.S. defense procurement cycles and the real-time demands of drone warfare.

From Ukraine’s open-source FPV innovation to the rise of small, global drone startups, Brian and the hosts dissect how commercial agility is outpacing traditional military processes—and what that means for future conflicts.

Topics include:

• Why the U.S. is struggling to field drones at scale
• How startups are out-innovating multi-billion dollar programs
• The cultural mismatch between DOD timelines and battlefield urgency
• What Ukraine’s drone ecosystem teaches us about asymmetric speed and effectiveness

🎧 This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of U.S. defense tech, battlefield innovation, and what comes next in unmanned warfare.

Follow Brian Streem:

Website: https://www.getvermeer.com/about

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianstreem

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.

In Episode 10 of Drone Wars, we’re joined by Brian Streem, CEO of Vermeer and a leading voice in tactical drone technology. With a background that spans Hollywood filmmaking and cutting-edge drone innovation, Brian brings a unique lens to how first-person-view (FPV) drones are reshaping the battlefield.

This episode dives deep into how the war in Ukraine has catalyzed a new phase in drone warfare—one where consumer-grade drones become precision strike assets, and where open-source ingenuity meets frontline necessity.

Brian shares insights on:

• How FPVs are changing the cost-benefit equation of war
• The convergence of commercial tech and military strategy
• How drone manufacturing and field modification is becoming decentralized
• What this means for future conflicts and U.S. defense planning

🎧 Tune in for a sharp, forward-looking conversation about how drones are transforming both the battlefield—and the defense industry itself.

Follow Brian Streem:

Website: https://www.getvermeer.com/about

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianstreem

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.

In Part 2 of this special Drone Wars episode, the conversation shifts from tactics to power, policy, and accountability in the era of drone-centric conflict.

Tommy Hendrix, managing partner at Decisive Point and the first investor in Firestorm, breaks down how Israel’s drone operations in Gaza reveal deep gaps between military innovation and international law, and how those gaps are exploited—not just by states, but also by non-state actors and information operations.

Key topics include:

• The disappearance of deterrence and escalation thresholds
• How drones are testing the limits of proportionality, transparency, and legality
• The tension between strategic effectiveness and the erosion of global norms
• Why open-source intelligence and public perception are now part of every strike

🎧 Listen to Part 2 for an unflinching look at the geopolitical ripple effects of modern drone warfare—and what it means for future conflicts.

Follow Tommy Hendrix:

Website: https://www.decisivepoint.com/team/thomas-hendrix

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasehendrix/

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.

This week on Drone Wars, Tommy Hendrix, managing partner at Decisive Point and the first investor in Firestorm, joins Dan Magee for a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of defense technology, autonomy, and venture capital.

Tommy shares lessons from his military background and discusses what it takes to build and invest in defense-first startups—especially as the U.S. increasingly turns to commercial innovation pipelines to stay ahead. From evaluating companies working on autonomous systems to exploring the investor mindset around lethal tech, Tommy brings a rare perspective that bridges the battlefield and the boardroom.

The episode explores:

- Why timing and urgency are critical for defense startups
- The unique dynamics of investing in national security tech
- How Tommy spots high-impact founders in defense
- What’s next for Firestorm and Decisive Point

🎧 If you’re building, funding, or tracking the future of military technology—this conversation is essential listening.

Follow Tommy Hendrix:

Website: https://www.decisivepoint.com/team/thomas-hendrix

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasehendrix/

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.

Explore the transformative world of underwater drones with Nelson Mills, CEO and co-founder of VATN Systems. In this episode, Nelson shares his unique journey from a childhood on the seas to revolutionizing maritime autonomy. Discover how VATN’s scalable and modular technologies are solving the challenges of GPS-denied environments, reducing cognitive load for operators, and enabling mission adaptability. Learn how these advancements support U.S. defense strategies in the Pacific and beyond. Whether you're a defense professional or a tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of underwater systems.

Follow Nelson Mills:

Website: https://www.vatnsystems.com/

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millsn/

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.