How to Redefine Battlefield Logistics with 3D Printing | Dan Magy
Dan Magy, co-founder and CEO of Firestorm, returns to the show for a live episode recorded at Battlefield 2027. Firestorm is building deployable, modular 3D printing systems that can manufacture drones, parts, and tools directly at the edge of operations — a game-changing capability for contested logistics.We discuss how Firestorm’s portable manufacturing units are reshaping military production, the lessons learned from early Army field tests, and how 3D printing is enabling faster repair and sustainment in the field. Dan also shares his perspective on the realities of scaling a defense startup, the “valley of death” between R&D and procurement, and what it takes to survive in the new era of defense innovation.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems
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27:34
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27:34
Jet Engines & Reinventing Oil Systems for Next-Gen Weaponry | Rob Sladen
Rob Sladen is the Chairman and CEO of Zulu Pods, a company pioneering next-generation lubrication and fluid delivery systems for aerospace and defense. Before founding Zulu Pods, Sladen spent 13 years at Pratt & Whitney designing jet engines — experience that now fuels his startup’s role as the “picks and shovels” behind future weapon systems.In this episode, we talk about how Zulu Pods’ “Tide Pod for jet engines” was invented, the state of DoD procurement, and why small defense startups face such steep barriers breaking into military programs. Rob also dives into dual-use technology, cost-plus contracting, and why the Army’s approach to acquisition timelines desperately needs reform. It’s a sharp, insider look at building in defense, raising capital, and rethinking how the next generation of aerospace systems will actually get built.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems
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1:26:26
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1:26:26
The GovCon Game: Relationships and Red Tape | John Ferry
John Ferry returns to the show for one of the most blunt conversations yet about the defense startup ecosystem. From the realities of selling to government and surviving the “valley of death” to the cultural dysfunction inside acquisition, Ferry lays out why so many startups die before getting their product fielded and what it actually takes to win.Steve and John discuss how relationships drive every contract, why SBIRs rarely translate to real programs, and how companies like Anduril changed the game through capital, branding, and strategy. They also unpack the coming wave of private equity in defense tech, the illusion of “dual use,” and how the primes still shape who gets a seat at the table.This is the insider’s look at the real mechanics of government contracting, culture, and survival in defense tech.Episode 51.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems
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1:30:12
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1:30:12
Inside AV Inc: Drones, Directed Energy, and Defense Innovation | Church Hutton
Church Hutton, Chief Growth Officer at AV Inc. (formerly AeroVironment), joins the show for a deep dive into the future of autonomous systems, directed energy, and defense innovation. A retired Army officer and longtime Hill staffer, Church brings an insider’s view of how national security priorities, procurement, and industrial competition with China are evolving.He shares how AV is doubling down on robotics, drones, and lasers following its merger with BlueHalo, and why the company’s investments in internal R&D are outpacing much of the defense industry. Steve and Church also dig into lessons from Ukraine, U.S. homeland defense policy challenges, and what’s next for programs like Golden Dome and directed-energy systems.This episode unpacks how the defense industrial base is changing and what the next generation of defense companies are getting right.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems
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1:10:06
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1:10:06
Autonomous Fighter Drones and the Next Era of Air Superiority | Jeff Wright, SplashOne Robotics
Jeff Wright, founder and CEO of SplashOne Robotics, joins the show to discuss how his company is developing small, purpose-built fighter drones to redefine air superiority. A former Marine and Air Force Special Tactics Officer, Wright brings a warfighter’s perspective to modern defense tech — from the limits of current counter-drone systems to the coming shift toward autonomous, air-to-air combat.We cover the “drone bubble” shaping defense startups, how SplashOne is tackling the kill chain end-to-end, and why bullets—not missiles—may define the next era of air defense. Wright also shares what he learned leading drone initiatives across INDOPACOM, why he built his first prototypes in his garage, and what it takes to found a defense startup straight out of uniform.This episode goes deep on the future of air combat, the realities of defense innovation, and the mindset required to build the next generation of fighter drones.Episode #49.Links to the show:YouTubeSpotifySubstackApple PodcastsInstagramX (Twitter)LinkedInFollow Steve:LinkedInX (Twitter)Allen Control Systems
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.
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