Timestamps/Topics:

(0:00) Intro

(1:30) Ryan's Background

(2:58) Problems with the Pentagon Process

(5:01) Frustration with Lack of Innovation

(9:00) Vulnerabilities on the Front Line

(10:57) Drones Around Langley Air Force Base

(16:26) Lasers Won't Stop Drones (WSJ Article)

(24:18) Fight Drones with More Drones? (Anduril Bolt video)

(26:51) Switchblade 300 vs the Bolt

(29:15) Outdated Software Dev Process of Defense Primes

(32:50) Engineering in Startups vs the Primes

(35:30) Advice for Bootstrapping in Defense

(38:59) How To Think About VC vs. Bootstrapped

(40:40) AFWERKS Is Actually A Great Program

(43:11) Being an Introvert & A Founder

(44:14) The Issues with Big Defense Conferences/Events

(45:48) The "Decade of Consequence" For China

(50:43) Outro

Ryan Farris is currently the co-founder and COO/CFO of Visto360.ai, a startup developing 3D computer vision applications for precise object detection. He previously co-founded and sold Orbital Effects, a small radar satellite company that revolutionized space based tactical ISR and effects.

Ryan is a retired U.S. Navy officer who served at sea on several Aegis ships and in Washington DC at the White House, U.S. Senate, and Department of Defense. Post-retirement, Ryan co-founded Orbital Effects, a small radar satellite company that revolutionized space based tactical ISR and effects.