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.

CNA Researcher Sam Bendett. Talk about the recent attack on multiple airbases conducted by Ukraine.

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 II: Autonomy, Spectrum Warfare, and the Next Generation of Defense

In this special two-part edition of Drone Wars, host Dan Magy continues his conversation with Nathan Mintz, defense tech entrepreneur and CEO of CX2, exploring the tactical and strategic frontiers of modern warfare. T
his episode focuses on the rising importance of human-machine teaming, drone autonomy in GPS-denied environments, and how spectrum dominance is becoming essential to battlefield success.
The discussion also highlights El Segundo’s transformation into a thriving hub for national security innovation, alongside a broader cultural shift that is drawing a new generation of technologists into the defense space.

Timestamps:
00:00 – The cost mismatch of modern missiles vs. drones
01:50 – Human factors and operator cognitive load in drone warfare
04:15 – Terrain-following autonomy and SLAM technology
07:08 – Autonomous agents and decision-making at the edge
09:55 – Spectrum as a 3D battlespace and tactical awareness
12:15 – El Segundo as a defense innovation hub
15:30 – Hackathons, young talent, and defense industry appeal
18:20 – Reflections on startup culture and national defense missions

#DroneWars #NathanMintz #DefenseTech #FirestormDrones #ElectronicWarfare #StartupToScale #DeepTech #UnmannedSystems #ModernWarfare #ElSegundo #militaryinnovation

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: From Defense Primes to Deep Tech Startups

In this special two-part edition of Drone Wars, host Dan Magy sits down with defense tech entrepreneur Nathan Mintz, CEO of CX2, for a wide-ranging conversation on innovation, autonomy, and the evolving front lines of national security.

Nathan reflects on his early engineering work at Boeing and Raytheon, then dives into his transition into the startup world.
He shares the founding stories of Epirus—recognized for pioneering microwave weaponry—and Spartan, which delivered defense-grade radar into the commercial market.
The discussion explores how lean, capital-efficient startups are stretching the boundaries of modern military technology and redefining how innovation moves from concept to deployment.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome and Nathan Mintz's early background
02:18 – Working on radar systems at Boeing and Raytheon
05:30 – Epirus: Founding, fundraising, and microwave breakthroughs
10:04 – Building Spartan: Startups in automotive radar and defense
13:56 – CX2 and rethinking spectrum operations
17:20 – Why defense innovation needs capital efficiency
21:10 – What Ukraine taught us about spectrum warfare

#DroneWars #NathanMintz #DefenseTech #FirestormDrones #ElectronicWarfare #StartupToScale #DeepTech #UnmannedSystems #ModernWarfare #ElSegundo #MilitaryInnovation

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 II: Attritable Warfare, UGVs, and the Future of Combat

In Part II, Sam Bendett returns to break down the real-time innovation shaping Russia and Ukraine's unmanned arsenals.

We examine the shift to fiber optic-controlled drones, the rising role of attritable assets, and how military bureaucracies are struggling to keep up with front-line innovation. Sam explains how Ukraine’s “Brave One” platform is setting a new standard for rapid drone deployment and feedback integration.

He also highlights the strategic shift toward unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), the use of drones in combined-arms operations, and the challenges Western defense tech faces in high-EW environments.

This episode paints a vivid picture of the next phase in warfare—where adaptability and scale matter more than sophistication.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Why Ukraine’s drone acquisition cycle is so fast
1:42 – Russia’s ad hoc production networks
3:34 – Russian adaptability and the “frozen middle”
5:53 – Ukraine’s Brave One platform and digital coordination
8:04 – Parallels with WWII and lessons in attrition
11:45 – EW and GPS spoofing: the invisible battle
15:13 – Balancing cost vs effectiveness in drone design
17:32 – Rise of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs)
20:07 – Ukraine’s fully unmanned assault tests
21:13 – Where to follow Sam Bendett

#DroneWarsPodcast #SamBendett #DroneWarfare #UkraineWar #RussianMilitary #OpenSourceIntel #UnmannedSystems #FiberOpticDrones #ElectronicWarfare #UGVs #DroneTechnology #MilitaryInnovation #ISR #AttritableDrones

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: OSINT, Telegram Warfare & Tactical Innovation

In Part I of our conversation with Sam Bendett, we dive deep into how the war in Ukraine is being shaped not only on the battlefield—but online.

Sam, a leading expert in open-source intelligence and Russian military adaptation, breaks down how Telegram and other platforms have become real-time war theaters. He explains how grassroots innovation from soldiers, startups, and volunteers is overtaking traditional top-down military systems.

We explore how the fusion of commercial drone tech and DIY ingenuity is rapidly evolving combat strategy, and how China has become the silent enabler of both sides’ drone fleets.

If you want to understand the open-source dynamics behind the world’s most tech-driven war, this episode is your entry point.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Who is Sam Bendett?
2:15 – Sam’s background in Russian military tech and open-source intelligence
5:13 – The role of Telegram in modern warfare
7:37 – How quickly the battlefield evolves
10:20 – China's silent role in drone supply chains
13:38 – Integration of commercial tech into military strategy
17:49 – The legacy of quadcopters in artillery
19:09 – Long-term outlook: Is this the new norm?

#DroneWarsPodcast #SamBendett #DroneWarfare #UkraineWar #RussianMilitary #OpenSourceIntel #UnmannedSystems #FiberOpticDrones #ElectronicWarfare #UGVs #DroneTechnology #MilitaryInnovation #ISR #AttritableDrones #WarfareInnovation

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.

Autonomous Frontlines and the Rise of Stark: Florian Seibel on the Future of Drone Warfare

Florian Seibel returns for part two of our Drone Wars conversation to unpack the deeper implications of autonomy in warfare and the launch of his new company, Stark. He discusses why gamified training, fast software cycles, and modular drone design are critical to staying ahead.
Dan and Florian also explore ESG constraints in Europe, the ethics of AI on the battlefield, and how Western nations can compete with China’s rapidly evolving drone programs.
A brutally honest look at what it takes to innovate when the stakes are highest.

Timestamps:
1:53 – The Importance of Training and Software in Drone Operations
3:47 – The Vision for Stark and the Challenges of Dual-Use Companies
7:55 – Changes in European Discussions on Drones and Loitering Munitions
10:13 – The Role of Autonomous Systems in Future Conflicts
13:10 – The Impact of Ukraine's Independence on Drone Technology
15:36 – The Balance Between Price and Performance in Drone Systems
17:44 – Advice for DOD and Military Officials on Autonomous Systems Procurement
19:26 – The Challenges of Getting on the Blue UAS List
20:41 – Connecting with Florian Seibel and Quantum Systems

🎙️ Guest: Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems (https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-seibel-8a78b99b/)
🎙️ Host: Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm

#DroneWarfare #AutonomousSystems #LoiteringMunition #StarkDrones #MilitaryAI #DefenseTech #FPV #QuantumSystems

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.

From Startup to Battlefield: Florian Seibel on Building Drones That Actually Work in War

In this episode of Drone Wars, Dan Magy sits down with Florian Seibel, CEO and co-founder of Quantum Systems, to talk about what it takes to build drone systems that actually survive in combat.
 Florian shares the journey from struggling startup to a critical player in Ukraine’s defense, the lessons learned from early failures in hostile EW environments, and how Quantum built an agile, software-driven drone architecture that adapts to real-world needs.
 From dual-use challenges in Europe to defense procurement gaps in the West, this conversation dives deep into the hard realities of modern drone warfare.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Florian Seibel's Background and Quantum Systems
3:02 – Building a Defense Company in Europe
5:03 – Quantum Systems' Commitment to Ukraine
10:51 – Operational Challenges in Ukraine
14:47 – Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness
17:11 – Industrial Base and Software-Defined Defense
19:03 – Challenges with Certification and Regulation


🎙️ Guest: Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems (https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-seibel-8a78b99b/)
🎙️ Host: Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm

#DroneWars #QuantumSystems #Ukraine #MilitaryTech #LoiteringMunition #DefenseInnovation

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 the second half of their conversation, Dan Magy and Eric DeMarco look ahead. As CEO of Kratos Defense, Eric reflects on how preparation and urgency are now colliding—and the future is no longer theoretical.
They dig into drone swarms, hypersonics, and the role of AI in modern conflict, along with the ethical dilemmas those technologies bring. Eric speaks not only as a builder of systems, but as someone who’s learned the value of patience in a world racing to innovate. This episode asks what it really means to stay ready when the stakes keep rising.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Kratos Defense and Fiber Optic Drones
3:29 — Challenges of Distance and Unmanned Systems
5:44 — Autonomy and Policy Considerations
8:18 — Autonomy Companies and Market Dynamics
14:32 — Entrepreneurial Advice and Kratos' Future

#DroneWarsPodcast #KratosDefense #EricDeMarco #MilitaryInnovation #FutureOfWarfare #Hypersonics #DefenseTechnology #AIinWarfare #DroneSwarm #AutonomousSystems #NationalSecurity

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 episode marks the beginning of a powerful two-part conversation between Dan Magy and Eric DeMarco, CEO of Kratos Defense. As they reflect on over a decade of strategic growth and technological advancement, Eric shares what it takes to build resilient defense systems in a world facing fast-evolving threats. It’s not just about innovation—it’s about anticipating future conflicts and having the courage and clarity to prepare for them today.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Eric DeMarco's Journey and Kratos Defense's Growth
4:05 — Team and Division Structure at Kratos Defense
6:41 — Challenges and Opportunities in the Defense Industry
14:57 — Production and Modularity in Unmanned Systems
19:09 — Emerging Threats and Technological Advancements

#DroneWarsPodcast #KratosDefense #EricDeMarco #MilitaryInnovation #FutureOfWarfare #Hypersonics #DefenseTechnology #AIinWarfare #DroneSwarm #AutonomousSystems #NationalSecurity

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.