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. Er…

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 a…

Part III – Culture, Doctrine, and the Path Forward In the final chapter, Brabner discusses the broader changes needed across policy, training, and recruitment to make drone warfare viable at scale. From launching the National Drone Association to preparing for upcoming international drone competitions, he lays out a vision where unmanned systems ar…

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 fe…

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 prote…

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.…

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 positio…

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 the…

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 mil…

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 U…

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 intern…

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…

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 cognit…

The drone industry isn’t just about cutting-edge technology—it’s about navigating the regulatory minefield that comes with it. In this episode of Drone Wars, Karl Eze, former British Army officer and defense tech innovator, discusses how drone startups struggle with regulations, why governments aren’t keeping up with innovation, and how companies c…

Join us as we sit down with Karl Eze, a former British Army officer turned drone innovator, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of drone technology. From FPV drones to pixel-lock guidance systems, Karl offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovations in autonomous systems are reshaping modern warfare. Drawing from his military experience an…

In this episode of the Drone Wars podcast, Alex Bock, Deep Tech Investor at Booz Allen Ventures, takes us on an extraordinary journey through his career in innovation and defense technology. From building jetpacks and tackling the "valley of death" in government acquisitions to driving advancements in autonomous systems, Alex shares hard-earned les…

In this episode of Drone Wars, Dan continues his conversation with James Acuna, former CIA Director of Operations turned unmanned warfare expert. They’ll dive into how drone technology is reshaping the battlefield - and what it means for the West. Answering the questions of how Ukraine is revolutionizing drone warfare with unmanned aerial & ground …

Join us as we dive into the rapidly evolving world of drone warfare with James Acuna, a veteran of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations and a leading defense consultant in Eastern Europe. In this episode, James discusses how Ukraine has leveraged autonomous systems to reshape the modern battlefield and the critical lessons Western nations must learn…

In this episode of Drone Wars, Mike Flanigan, CEO and Co-founder of SEASATS, discusses the Lightfish, a 10-foot solar-powered maritime drone transforming industries like defense, energy, and marine research. Learn how Marine Drones are tackling challenges like hurricane forecasting, the war in Ukraine, and the growing demand for innovative autonomo…

Chris Miller, joins host Dan Magy for part 2 of their discussion on the future of warfare, from drone cavalry to bottom-up innovation. Learn how military operators can drive change, why embracing small business innovation is critical, and what must happen to overcome institutional resistance. This conversation is a must-listen for defense industry …

Christopher Miller is a thought leader in defense innovation and the founder of a cutting-edge autonomous systems company. With years of experience in designing scalable technologies, Christopher is at the forefront of developing transformative tools for modern warfare. His insights into the defense industry, from startup challenges to technologica…

The battlefield is changing faster than ever, but can the U.S. military keep up? In this episode, Mike MacKay discusses the hurdles to adopting new tech, the risks of bureaucratic stagnation, and how lessons from recent conflicts could shape future doctrine. Follow Mike MacKay: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-w-mackay/ Website: Cognit…