Modular Jamming, AI Detection, and the Rise of DroneShield | Matt McCrann
Matt McCrann, U.S. Navy veteran and CEO of DroneShield US, joins the show to talk about the evolving fight against drone threats. From handheld jammers like the DroneGun MkIV to advanced sensor fusion and AI-powered RF detection, DroneShield is building modular tools for defense and homeland security. We dig into the cat-and-mouse game with adversary drones, lessons from Ukraine, and how modular hardware and software-defined jamming keep pace with new threats. McCrann also shares insights on working with the DoD, DHS, and allies, the role of startups in defense, and where unmanned ground and maritime systems are headed. A candid, insider look at one of the leading companies shaping the counter-UAS space.Links to the show on all platforms: YouTube Spotify Substack Apple Podcasts Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedInFollow Steve: LinkedIn X (Twitter) Allen Control Systems
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From Industrial Robots to Defense Infrastructure | Troy Demmer, Gecko Robotics
Troy Demmer is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gecko Robotics, the industrial tech company behind wall-climbing inspection robots and the full-stack software platform reshaping how we manage critical infrastructure. In this episode, Troy breaks down Gecko’s origin story, their second act in defense, and why hardware is just the wedge.We talk about the staggering cost of industrial maintenance, the Navy’s sustainment crisis, the failure of legacy digital twin initiatives, and how Gecko’s modular robots collect structured data across steel, concrete, and rotating equipment. Troy also shares his startup lessons from building in Pittsburgh, fundraising from Sam Altman and Founders Fund, and his view on what defense tech gets wrong. One of the sharpest, most underrated founders in the game.Episode #44.---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimonihttps://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #defensetech #startups #militaryinnovation #robotics #dualuse #geckorobotics #navy #infra #criticalinfrastructure #manufacturing #dod #sustainment #militaryreadiness #foundersfund #hardwarestartups #yc #ai #industrialtech #austintx #venturecapital
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The Reality of Selling to the Pentagon | Mike Canty
Mike Canty, co-founder and CEO of Armaments Research Company, joins the show to discuss the future of defense tech and the realities of building hardware startups for the Pentagon. A former Army major, Mike now leads ARC in developing AI-enabled weapon sensors that turn rifles into data-driven decision systems. We get into his founder journey from bootstrapping hardware to selling a previous startup to DoorDash, the challenges of raising money in defense before it was “cool,” and the realities of selling to the U.S. military. From Ukraine’s frontlines to U.S. Army test brigades, this conversation digs into drones, jamming, venture funding, and how defense startups survive in a world still dominated by the primes. If you want to understand the real mechanics behind defense innovation, this is a must-listen.Episode #43.---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimonihttps://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #defensetech #militaryinnovation #startups #dod #army #airforce #navy #defenseindustry #counteruas #drones #ai #weaponsystems #iot #tacticaltech #militarytechnology #nationalsecurity #venturecapital #govcon #warfighter #miltech
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The Future of Drone Swarms and Counter-UAS | Kyle Hardy & Ashkan Bayatpour
Kyle Hardy, CEO of Hardy Dynamics, and Ashkan Bayatpour, U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, join the show to break down the future of drone warfare and the challenges of building software for autonomous swarms. We dig into the reality of counter-drone operations, why electronic warfare and lasers fall short, and why kinetic defenses are still the only reliable option. The conversation covers AI integration, vendor lock problems, DOD acquisition hurdles, and the rapidly evolving threat landscape in Ukraine and beyond. Hardy and Bayatpour also share their personal paths from Navy intel to defense startups, and what it takes to bridge the gap between commercial innovation and national security.Episode #42.---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimonihttps://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #drones #dronewarfare #counteruas #defensetech #militaryinnovation #dod #navyintel #startups #artificialintelligence #droneai #uas #uaswarfare #militarytech #aerospace #dronecountermeasures #droneindustry #natsec #dronepolicy #militarydrones #defensestartups
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Inside Ukraine's Drone War and the Defense Tech Bubble | Patrick Blumenthal
Defense tech insider Patrick Blumenthal breaks down the latest developments in Ukraine's drone warfare evolution and the Vector vs. RedCat lawsuit shaking up the industry. From Russia's new evasion modules and radar warning receivers on Shaheds to the reality of SMR hype in defense tech, Patrick delivers unfiltered analysis on what's actually working on the battlefield. We dive deep into the cat-and-mouse game of drone interceptors, the business models driving defense innovation, and why peace talks are likely to fail as fighting season continues.Pat on X: https://x.com/patrickjblum?lang=enEpisode #41.---Links to the show:https://www.youtube.com/@thedroneultimatumhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3F1sc8yzQIF9WcdHQ3w7kf?si=3af8082184104062https://thedroneultimatum.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drone-ultimatum/id1770994541https://www.instagram.com/thedroneultimatum/https://x.com/droneultimatumhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-drone-ultimatum?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameFollow Steve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensimoni/https://x.com/StevenSimonihttps://www.allencontrolsystems.com/#podcast #defensetech #ukraine #drones #vector #redcat #lawsuit #shaheds #dronewarfare #interceptors #smr #nuclear #palantir #defenseinnovation #military #dod #govcon #startups #defenseinvesting #battlefieldtech #autonomy
The preeminent podcast for all things drones, defense tech, defense policy, and modern warfare. Featured guests include industry leaders, policy experts, military warfighters, business titans, and many more. Hosted by Steve Simoni, co-founder and CEO of Allen Control Systems.
UK