What It Takes to Build a War-Ready Drone - Florian Seibel | Part II
Autonomous Frontlines and the Rise of Stark: Florian Seibel on the Future of Drone WarfareFlorian Seibel returns for part two of our Drone Wars conversation to unpack the deeper implications of autonomy in warfare and the launch of his new company, Stark. He discusses why gamified training, fast software cycles, and modular drone design are critical to staying ahead. Dan and Florian also explore ESG constraints in Europe, the ethics of AI on the battlefield, and how Western nations can compete with China’s rapidly evolving drone programs. A brutally honest look at what it takes to innovate when the stakes are highest.Timestamps:1:53 – The Importance of Training and Software in Drone Operations3:47 – The Vision for Stark and the Challenges of Dual-Use Companies7:55 – Changes in European Discussions on Drones and Loitering Munitions10:13 – The Role of Autonomous Systems in Future Conflicts13:10 – The Impact of Ukraine's Independence on Drone Technology15:36 – The Balance Between Price and Performance in Drone Systems17:44 – Advice for DOD and Military Officials on Autonomous Systems Procurement19:26 – The Challenges of Getting on the Blue UAS List20:41 – Connecting with Florian Seibel and Quantum Systems🎙️ Guest: Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems (https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-seibel-8a78b99b/)🎙️ Host: Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm#DroneWarfare #AutonomousSystems #LoiteringMunition #StarkDrones #MilitaryAI #DefenseTech #FPV #QuantumSystemsAbout Drone Wars Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
--------
21:23
What It Takes to Build a War-Ready Drone - Florian Seibel | Part I
From Startup to Battlefield: Florian Seibel on Building Drones That Actually Work in WarIn this episode of Drone Wars, Dan Magy sits down with Florian Seibel, CEO and co-founder of Quantum Systems, to talk about what it takes to build drone systems that actually survive in combat. Florian shares the journey from struggling startup to a critical player in Ukraine’s defense, the lessons learned from early failures in hostile EW environments, and how Quantum built an agile, software-driven drone architecture that adapts to real-world needs. From dual-use challenges in Europe to defense procurement gaps in the West, this conversation dives deep into the hard realities of modern drone warfare.Timestamps:0:00 – Florian Seibel's Background and Quantum Systems3:02 – Building a Defense Company in Europe5:03 – Quantum Systems' Commitment to Ukraine10:51 – Operational Challenges in Ukraine14:47 – Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness17:11 – Industrial Base and Software-Defined Defense19:03 – Challenges with Certification and Regulation🎙️ Guest: Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems (https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-seibel-8a78b99b/)🎙️ Host: Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm#DroneWars #QuantumSystems #Ukraine #MilitaryTech #LoiteringMunition #DefenseInnovationAbout Drone Wars Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
--------
20:59
Defense at the Edge of Innovation | Part II
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. Eric speaks not only as a builder of systems, but as someone who’s learned the value of patience in a world racing to innovate. This episode asks what it really means to stay ready when the stakes keep rising.Timestamps:0:00 — Kratos Defense and Fiber Optic Drones3:29 — Challenges of Distance and Unmanned Systems5:44 — Autonomy and Policy Considerations8:18 — Autonomy Companies and Market Dynamics14:32 — Entrepreneurial Advice and Kratos' Future#DroneWarsPodcast #KratosDefense #EricDeMarco #MilitaryInnovation #FutureOfWarfare #Hypersonics #DefenseTechnology #AIinWarfare #DroneSwarm #AutonomousSystems #NationalSecurityAbout Drone Wars Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
--------
25:12
Defense at the Edge of Innovation | Part I
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 about anticipating future conflicts and having the courage and clarity to prepare for them today.Timestamps:0:00 — Eric DeMarco's Journey and Kratos Defense's Growth4:05 — Team and Division Structure at Kratos Defense6:41 — Challenges and Opportunities in the Defense Industry14:57 — Production and Modularity in Unmanned Systems19:09 — Emerging Threats and Technological Advancements#DroneWarsPodcast #KratosDefense #EricDeMarco #MilitaryInnovation #FutureOfWarfare #Hypersonics #DefenseTechnology #AIinWarfare #DroneSwarm #AutonomousSystems #NationalSecurityAbout Drone Wars Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
--------
21:46
Future Ready: Drones, Doctrine, and the Fight for Overmatch | Part III
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 are not just tools—but pillars of military readiness. He makes the case for cultural buy-in, smarter procurement, and building a force that wins with autonomy—not despite it.Useful Links & Resources• Lt. Col. Michael Brabner on LinkedIn• National Drone Association (NDA)About Drone Wars Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
España