TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 | Army, Defense Technology & Leadership

Aviv Shapira, Co-Founder and CEO of XTEND, explains how autonomous drones can continue operating in GPS-denied environments using onboard sensors, inertial navigation, and AI.

Watch the full conversation on the TEC TALK Podcast from AUSA 2026.

#MilitaryDrones #GPSDenied #AutonomousSystems #ArtificialIntelligence #AUSA2026 #TECTALKPodcast

Leo Garciga, Senior Executive Advisor at Booz Allen and former U.S. Army Chief Information Officer, joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, tactical edge computing, interoperability, commercial technology, and the future of defense modernization.

Leo shares his journey from nearly three decades of government service into the private sector and discusses how his experience as Army CIO continues to shape the way he approaches technology, acquisition, risk, and capability delivery.

The conversation explores how artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing cybersecurity and why AI-enabled tools are becoming increasingly important for defending networks and military systems.

Luke and Leo also discuss the balance between security and speed, why those two priorities do not have to compete, and how organizations can adjust risk thresholds based on the mission and the outcome they are trying to achieve.

A major part of the conversation focuses on tactical edge computing and the growing requirement to move processing, storage, artificial intelligence, and mission applications closer to Soldiers and platforms operating in contested environments.

Leo explains why future systems must be capable of operating while connected to enterprise and cloud services, but also retain meaningful capability when communications are degraded or disconnected.

The discussion also covers interoperability between new and legacy systems, commercial software adoption, defense industry partnerships, rapid acquisition, autonomous systems, and the importance of getting mature capability into the hands of the warfighter faster.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, tactical networks, Army modernization, edge computing, autonomous systems, defense technology, and the people shaping the future of national security.

#BoozAllen #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #EdgeComputing #ArmyModernization #DefenseTechnology #AUSA2026 #TECTALKPodcast

Aviv Shapira, Co-Founder and CEO of XTEND, joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss physical AI, autonomous drones, human-machine teaming, GPS-denied operations, and the future of software-defined robotics.

Aviv explains how XTEND’s operating system, XOS, is designed to allow operators to control autonomous machines across complex and dangerous missions while keeping humans involved in critical decision-making.

The conversation explores how one operator can increasingly manage multiple unmanned systems, why the military cannot simply train a separate pilot for every drone, and how artificial intelligence can handle much of a mission before bringing the human operator back into the decision loop when necessary.

Luke and Aviv also discuss operating in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments. Aviv explains how XTEND combines cameras, inertial navigation, and onboard autonomy to create what he describes as a virtual GPS capability that allows systems to continue navigating when traditional GPS is unavailable or unreliable.

The discussion also covers the Drone Dominance program, scalable U.S. drone production, XTEND’s marketplace for software and hardware applications, hardware-agnostic robotics, and the challenge of rapidly adapting unmanned systems as battlefield requirements evolve.

Aviv also shares lessons learned from deploying systems across real-world combat environments and explains why field conditions reveal challenges that cannot always be recreated in a laboratory. At the center of XTEND’s approach is a simple philosophy:

Human think. Machine act.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, military drones, counter-UAS, Army modernization, defense technology, and the companies developing capabilities for the warfighter.

#XTEND #AutonomousDrones #ArtificialIntelligence #MilitaryDrones #GPSDenied #AutonomousSystems #AUSA2026 #DefenseTechnology #TECTALKPodcast

Brandon Abney of iHeartMedia joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss storytelling, podcasting, marketing, digital media, and how defense companies can build stronger visibility with the audiences they are trying to reach.

Brandon explains how the relationship between iHeartMedia and Tec-Masters began through the Space and Missile Defense Symposium and evolved from the idea of a traditional radio remote into a live podcast experience.

The conversation explores why defense companies need more than traditional advertising to tell their story and how podcasts, connected television, streaming platforms, digital advertising, and in-person industry events can all play a role in building brand awareness.

Luke and Brandon also discuss why marketing in the defense industry is different from the commercial marketplace, why companies may not see an immediate return on marketing investments, and why long-term visibility and relationships can create opportunities over time.

The discussion also highlights the partnership between iHeartMedia and the TEC TALK Podcast, the work required behind the scenes to produce live event coverage, and the value of companies working together to create something neither organization could accomplish alone.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering defense industry leadership, marketing, technology, government contracting, Army modernization, innovation, and the companies supporting the warfighter.

#iHeartMedia #DefenseIndustry #Marketing #Podcasting #AUSA2026 #BusinessDevelopment #TECTALKPodcast

Rod Herron, Principal Advisor at Tec-Masters, Inc., joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss why relationships, visibility, innovation, and industry engagement matter for small businesses supporting the U.S. Army.

Rod explains why an event like the AUSA Annual Meeting gives smaller defense companies an opportunity to connect with Army leaders, industry partners, large businesses, and other organizations in a way that would be difficult to replicate through individual business-development efforts.

The conversation also explores Rod’s experience reconnecting with Soldiers and leaders he served with throughout his military career, including former lieutenants, captains, and peers who have gone on to become senior Army leaders.

Luke and Rod also discuss the Tec-Masters philosophy of “Where Technology Meets Imagination,” the importance of giving talented employees room to innovate, and why finding a way to say yes can create opportunities to solve difficult problems.

The discussion also highlights the team behind the TEC TALK Podcast and the importance of representing Tec-Masters at AUSA while sharing the company’s capabilities, culture, and mission with the broader defense community.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering defense industry leadership, small business, Army modernization, innovation, technology, and the people supporting the warfighter.

#TecMasters #AUSA2026 #DefenseIndustry #SmallBusiness #USArmy #Leadership #ArmyModernization #TECTALKPodcast

Patrick Shannon, Founder and CEO of TrustPoint, joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss GPS-denied operations, resilient positioning, navigation and timing, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and the future of satellite navigation.

Patrick explains why Positioning, Navigation and Timing, or PNT, is far more than simply using GPS for directions. PNT supports everything from precision fires and unmanned systems to synchronization, timing, logistics, and autonomous operations.

The conversation explores how electronic warfare and GPS jamming are changing military operations and why future autonomous systems need navigation capabilities that can continue operating in contested environments.

Patrick also discusses TrustPoint's development of a GPS-like service using C-band frequencies, the company's satellite constellation, its work with Hexagon and NovAtel, and demonstrations designed to show resilient navigation when traditional signals are disrupted.

The discussion also covers assured PNT, commercial technology, resilient navigation for drones and autonomous vehicles, the Army's PACE concept, and why electronic warfare must now be treated as a baseline operating condition rather than an exception.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering PNT, GPS-denied operations, autonomous systems, drones, electronic warfare, Army modernization, and defense technology.

#TrustPoint #GPSDenied #PNT #ElectronicWarfare #AutonomousSystems #AUSA2026 #TECTALKPodcast

Steve Mathias of EagleNXT joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss military drones, counter-UAS, GPS-denied operations, autonomy, electronic warfare, rapid acquisition, and the evolving requirements of the modern battlefield.

Steve explains EagleNXT's work across small unmanned aircraft, ISR, mapping, sensors, counter-UAS, and partnerships supporting both fixed-wing and VTOL platforms.

The conversation explores the challenge of operating unmanned aircraft in denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited environments, including EagleNXT's recent testing against jamming and the development of more resilient UAS technology.

Steve and Luke also discuss how government acquisition is moving faster, why companies must be ready before requirements are formally released, the growing importance of AI and autonomy, and why different mission sets require different unmanned platforms.

The discussion also covers counter-UAS partnerships, training, sustainment, supporting Soldiers after equipment is delivered, and why successful defense technology requires more than simply producing hardware.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations covering drones, counter-UAS, artificial intelligence, autonomy, Army modernization, defense technology, and the companies developing capability for the warfighter.

#EagleNXT #MilitaryDrones #CounterUAS #GPSDenied #AutonomousSystems #AUSA2026 #TECTALKPodcast

John Kuenzli, President of the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter, joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss Huntsville’s role in supporting the U.S. Army, the defense industry, Soldiers, families, and veterans.

John explains how AUSA helps connect government, small businesses, large defense companies, and Army leaders, creating opportunities for organizations with complementary capabilities to work together to solve warfighter challenges. Pasted text

The conversation also covers Army modernization, autonomous systems, leadership, scholarships, veterans programs, military appreciation events, and the continued growth of the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter. John emphasizes the importance of keeping the mission focused on supporting the Army, Soldiers, and their families. Pasted text

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations with leaders across the U.S. Army, defense technology, national security, leadership, space and missile defense, and the defense industry.

#AUSA2026 #Huntsville #RedstoneArsenal #USArmy #DefenseIndustry #ArmyLeadership #TECTALKPodcast

Craig Doty, Director of Business Development for Distributed Systems at Northrop Grumman, joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss the future of military UAS, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and modular mission technology.

Craig explains Northrop Grumman’s Lumberjack Group 3 UAS, a modular platform designed to support electronic warfare, ISR and targeting, kinetic and non-kinetic missions, and adaptable payloads based on warfighter requirements.

He also discusses operating in GPS-denied environments and how Northrop Grumman partnered with SandboxAQ to integrate magnetic navigation technology and fly the capability in less than four weeks.

The conversation also covers AI, autonomy, rapid acquisition, manufacturing capacity, emerging technology companies, and how industry is adapting to deliver capability faster.

Recorded live at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

#NorthropGrumman #MilitaryDrones #UAS #ElectronicWarfare #DefenseTechnology #AUSA2026 #TECTALKPodcast

Julie Vida of Odyssey joins the TEC TALK Podcast at AUSA 2026 to discuss military AI, autonomy, defense technology integration, and why the hardest challenges are often not the technology itself.

Julie explains how policy, processes, people, culture, information sharing, and cross-organizational integration can become the real barriers to getting capability into the hands of the warfighter.

The conversation also covers Odyssey’s growth into the Army market, the role of small and mid-sized defense companies, business development, the transition toward full-and-open competition, and why relationships remain critical in defense acquisition.

Recorded live at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2026 in Washington, D.C.

🎙️ TEC TALK Podcast

🎤 Hosted by Luke Dorminey

🏢 Presented by Tec-Masters, Inc.

Subscribe to the TEC TALK Podcast for conversations with leaders across defense technology, artificial intelligence, autonomy, cybersecurity, the U.S. Army, space and missile defense, and the defense industry.

#AUSA2026 #MilitaryAI #DefenseTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #DefenseIndustry #TECTALKPodcast

#TECTALK #AUSA2026 #TecMasters #USArmy #DefenseIndustry #ArmyModernization #DefenseTechnology #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence