Drone Radio Show

Federico Borsari is a Non-Resident Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, or CEPA for short. The Center for European Policy Analysis is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institution headquartered in Washington, DC, with hubs in London and Brussels. The organization focuses on strengthening the transatlantic alliance through research, analysis, and programs. CEPA provides insight on trends affecting democracy, security, and defense to government officials and agencies, helps transatlantic businesses navigate changing strategic landscapes, and builds networks of future leaders committed to transatlantic cooperation. At CEPA, Federico focuses on issues at the intersection of technology and international security, with particular emphasis on unmanned systems and autonomy. His work also covers NATO and transatlantic defense and security. He has authored several analyses and publications on the use and security implications of unmanned aerial systems by both state and non-state actors, and recently co-authored the first-ever report on drone warfare and its implications for NATO. Federico previously served as a Pan-European Fellow and later a Visiting Fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, and until October 2021 he worked as an analyst and project officer at the International Institute for International Political Studies in Milan, where he also helped organize the last three editions of the Mediterranean Dialogues Conference. He holds a BA in History from the University of Modena and an MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Bologna. He also earned a second MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Catholic University in Milan, and conducted fieldwork in Iraqi Kurdistan for a research project on the institutionalization and depoliticization of the Peshmarga. Federico is a frequent commentator on defense and drone technology in national and international media, and he regularly participates in conferences on defense technology and the use of drones. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Federico talks about how uncrewed systems are being used in the Arctic, and the challenges and opportunities they present for security, monitoring, and protecting critical infrastructure in this increasingly strategic region.

Melissa Swisher is Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe, a company delivering the intelligence organizations need to detect, analyze, and act in today's increasingly complex airspace environment. SkySafe specializes in airspace intelligence — providing real-time drone detection, analytics, and forensic capabilities that help organizations determine whether a drone is authorized, where it originated, how it's flying, and in some cases, who is operating it. The company works with state agencies, public safety organizations, and major event operators to bring greater visibility and accountability to the skies above critical infrastructure and large public gatherings. As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa leads SkySafe's strategic partnerships and revenue growth initiatives, helping expand the company's footprint across government and commercial markets. She brings extensive C-level experience, having played key roles in two successful IPOs — SuccessFactors and Castlight Health — as well as multiple strategic acquisitions. Prior to SkySafe, she co-founded Socrates.ai, which was recently acquired by Simpplr. Known for building high-performing teams and driving customer-focused growth, Melissa combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of scaling emerging technologies. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Melissa discusses the evolution of airspace intelligence, the biggest gaps in current drone defense systems, what new legislation means for local law enforcement, and how organizations are preparing for large-scale global events in an era of rapidly expanding drone activity.

Charles Acknin is Co-Founder and CEO of Skyways. Skyways is building unmanned aircraft systems designed to revolutionize autonomous cargo transportation. Unlike many competitors still in development, Skyways' aircraft are operational today — carrying meaningful payloads over significant distances for both military and commercial customers. Based in Austin, Skyways is now shifting toward mass production of its autonomous aircraft, building confidence through real-world cargo missions that could ultimately enable future passenger applications. At Skyways, Charles leads the company's strategic vision and oversees operations, product development, and growth initiatives in autonomous aviation. Prior to Skyways, Charles co-founded and served as CEO of Elixir Labs. Before that, he was a Senior Software Engineer at Google, where he worked on the company's search engine for nearly five years and spent a year advancing Google's mission of universal accessibility. Earlier in his career, Charles held engineering roles at Oracle, Cosworld-Asia in Shanghai, and Amadeus. He also participated in Google Summer of Code, contributing to the open-source version control system Subversion. Charles holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering from Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from SUPINFO. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Charles shares how Skyways is turning autonomous cargo drones from experimental technology into dependable, scalable logistics systems.

Logan Harris is CEO, President, and Founder of Spotter Global—a company specializing in compact radar and drone detection technologies. Spotter Global imagines, designs, manufactures, and coordinates the software development of compact surveillance radars, Remote Drone ID, NetworkedIO command and control, and its Integrated Management Center. The company was originally founded to meet the needs of U.S. Special Forces, who required a very small, wide-area radar to protect small units conducting Village Stability Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. From that need, the first Compact Surveillance Radar—the M600—was developed to protect warfighters operating in austere environments. In 2013, the attack on the Metcalf substation in California highlighted the need to detect threats far beyond the fence line. In response, Spotter introduced its first Compact Security Radar, the C40. Since then, the company has expanded its commercial off-the-shelf offerings to include 17 radar models covering areas from one acre to more than 380 acres, serving markets well beyond critical infrastructure—and far beyond North America. Logan is widely recognized as the inventor of the compact surveillance radar category. With deep expertise in RF engineering and digital signal processing, he launched SpotterRF in 2009 to help prevent harm to critical infrastructure and protect warfighters. Previously, Logan served as CTO at Wavetronix and as CTO and co-founder of ImSAR, the creator of NanoSAR. His engineering background also includes roles at IBM, TRW, Sensar Larson Davis, and Vantage. Logan holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University. Known for his innovation and leadership, he has positioned Spotter Global as a trusted radar provider across government and commercial sectors. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Logan talks about the growing reality of drone threats, how Spotter Global is using advanced detection and Remote ID technology to protect critical infrastructure and large public events, and what the future of airspace security looks like as agencies, regulations, and technologies continue to evolve.

Dr. Jamey Jacob is Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education and the Williams Chair in Energy Technology at Oklahoma State University. Under his leadership, OSU launched the Counter-UAS Center of Excellence, now the nation's central hub for coordinated research, development, testing and evaluation of counter-drone systems. Working closely with the Joint Force CUAS University at Fort Sill, the center assesses vendor technologies, establishes performance standards and accelerates next-generation defenses—all while addressing the growing national shortage of highly trained engineers in this mission-critical domain. With unique testing environments and deep alignment with military needs, OSU plays a pivotal role in strengthening national security and maintaining U.S. leadership in UAS innovation. Beyond directing the Center, Dr. Jacob is a Regents Professor of Aerospace Engineering and a nationally recognized leader in emerging aerospace systems, securing nearly $50 million in research funding from federal agencies and industry partners. He has testified before Congress on the critical need for sustained investment in drone research and advanced air mobility, and he leads major initiatives including the EDA-funded LaunchPad and UAS Flight Corridor, NASA's WINDMAP weather program, OSU's work within the Tulsa Hub for Ethical and Trustworthy Autonomy, and the NIST initiative developing certification standards for next-generation aircraft. A native Oklahoman, he holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and UC Berkeley, and is an FAA Part 107 pilot with roughly 500 flight hours. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Dr. Jacob talks about OSU's efforts to advance the nation's counter-UAS capabilities; what Ukraine's drone innovations reveal about the future of warfare, and how OSU's research in atmospheric science, public safety, and wildlife applications is shaping the next generation of drone operations.

Bill Lakeland is CEO of Spexi, the world's largest decentralized drone imagery network. Spexi provides a scalable, sustainable, and cost-efficient alternative to traditional Earth imaging methods, with its network of drone pilots delivering detailed, near-real-time imagery to support disaster preparedness, smart city planning, AI model training, and gaming applications. The network has mapped over 3.5M acres in 200+ cities across the world. Bill has over 20 years of experience in geospatial imagery, having led and exited as both a Co-Owner and Vice President of two aerial imagery firms. Before launching Spexi, he spent two decades in traditional aerial mapping, operating fixed-wing aircraft with high-resolution cameras to capture imagery for municipalities and insurers. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Bill talks about Spexi's network of drone pilots and the company's efforts to provide high-resolution imagery of urban areas.

In this special anniversary episode of the Drone Radio Show podcast, I reflect on a decade of conversations that have helped shape and document the evolution of the drone industry. Since 2015, the Drone Radio Show has featured 446 interviews with the pioneers, innovators, regulators, and changemakers redefining what drones can do. I revisit the major themes that emerged—from commercial adoption and regulatory milestones to lifesaving missions, educational advances, and the rise of autonomous systems. More than just a retrospective, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to the guests, listeners, and global drone community who've made the show a trusted voice in the UAS world. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the podcast, join me in celebrating ten years of insight, impact, and imagination—and get ready for what's next.

Bryan Bockmon is CEO of AimLock—a company pushing the boundaries of defense autonomy with real-world solutions that enhance mission effectiveness and save lives. Founded in 2013, AimLock is a U.S.-based developer of advanced autonomous targeting and engagement systems for defense applications. Their Core Targeting Modules—or CTMs—are designed to deliver decision-accelerating autonomy across a wide range of mission sets, including Counter-UAS, Force Protection, Direct Action, and more. With a fully networked, modular open systems approach, or MOSA for short, AimLock's technology integrates with everything from small arms to unmanned systems, aircraft, and maritime platforms. Bryan brings more than two decades of experience in R&D, engineering, and leadership across autonomy and weapons systems. At AimLock, he leads strategic initiatives and product development with a focus on scalable battlefield autonomy. He's a strong advocate for integrating autonomy into defense operations and is especially passionate about how small businesses are helping redefine the future of warfare—particularly in the wake of the global War on Terror. Under his leadership, AimLock is setting new standards for modular design and rapid field deployment. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Bryan shares insights on AimLock's innovations—including the role of Core Targeting Modules, how MOSA is transforming defense integration, and what the future holds for autonomy in the combat space. We'll also explore how AimLock supports platforms across air, ground, and maritime domains—and how lessons from real-world conflicts like Ukraine are influencing system design and deployment.

Geoff Hitchcock ia Chief Revenue Officer at Red Cat Holdings, and Matt Vogt ia Chief Revenue Officer at Palladyne AI. Red Cat is a cutting-edge drone technology company delivering advanced hardware and integrated software solutions for military, government, and commercial applications. Palladyne AI develops next-generation artificial intelligence software that brings autonomy and smart collaboration to robotic platforms in defense and commercial sectors. The two companies recently announced a significant testing milestone in their ongoing collaboration—the completion of an autonomous, cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones. The system enabled real-time, distributed detection and tracking of multiple dynamic and static ground objects—including humans and vehicles—in different regions of interest, providing a single operator with comprehensive situational awareness. The two companies previously announced a successful two-drone flight operation in January 2025, and Palladyne AI announced a single-drone testing scenario in December 2024 to autonomously identify, prioritize, and track terrestrial targets. The results represents significant progress in enabling multi-drone interoperability and autonomous collaboration for the defense sector. Geoff is a 22-year veteran of USAF Special Operations with deep experience in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. He's led operations and business development at top drone companies, including AeroVironment and Vantage Robotics, and now drives Red Cat's growth as Chief Revenue Officer. Matt began his career as a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier attack pilot and later served as a Special Operations Forward Air Controller. After a decade leading business development at AeroVironment, he now oversees all revenue activities at Palladyne AI, focusing on AI-driven autonomy solutions for defense and commercial use. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Matt and Geoff share how Red Cat and Palladyne AI's partnership is unlocking true autonomous multi-drone collaboration, what this breakthrough means for modern military operations, and how they plan to scale the technology for larger swarms and real-world commercial applications.

Brett Kanda is Director of Drone as First Responder Sales at Flock Safety. Flock Safety is a leading safety technology platform that helps communities thrive by taking a proactive approach to crime prevention and public security. Flock's end-to-end suite of hardware and software connects cities, law enforcement agencies, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods into a nationwide public-private safety network. Today, Flock is trusted by over 5,000 communities, 4,500 law enforcement agencies, and 1,000 businesses to deliver real-time intelligence—while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, data integrity, and responsible innovation. At Flock, Brett leads the DFR Specialist team, focusing on reducing emergency response times and improving community safety. Before Flock acquired Aerodome, Brett was the company's first employee and served as Senior Vice President of Business Development, where he spearheaded go-to-market efforts for their NextGen DFR platform. With more than a decade of experience in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, Brett has deep expertise in UAS technology, regulatory frameworks, and market strategy. His previous roles include key positions at BRINC, FLIR Systems, and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, where he helped grow drone businesses and expand their customer reach. He also co-founded two drone startups focused on delivering actionable insights through UAS technology. Before entering the drone industry, Brett was a professional golfer and a collegiate standout at UNLV, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and team captain. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Brett shares insights on Flock Safety's innovative Drone as First Responder program and how this cutting-edge technology is helping local law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and fight crime more effectively.

Craig Malloy is CEO of Arix Technologies, a Houston-based company specializing in robotic solutions for inspecting corrosion under insulation—or CUI—in industrial piping systems. While we often focus on aerial drones on this podcast, some environments call for a different approach. That's where Arix's flagship product, the VENUS robotic crawler, comes in. Designed to traverse both horizontal and vertical pipes, it collects high-resolution data without removing insulation or erecting scaffolding—dramatically reducing inspection time, cost, and risk. The technology has earned the trust of industry giants like Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, proving its value in the field. Craig is a seasoned CEO with over 25 years of experience founding and scaling global tech companies, including ViaVideo, Lifesize, and Bloomfire. A pioneer in video conferencing, he led Lifesize's transformation into a global SaaS platform with 4K video and contact center solutions. Known for his customer-first mindset and servant leadership, Craig brings a unique blend of innovation, integrity, and vision to the world of robotics and industrial inspection. In this episode of the Drone Radio show, Craig talks about Arix's systems, their robotic technology used to detect corrosion under insulation and how it benefits the energy industry.

Michael Hill is Program Manager of College Workforce Programs at the Unmanned Safety Institute. The Unmanned Safety Institute or USI is an approved training partner of ASTM International and the International Business Aviation Council. The Institute is dedicated to improving safety in unmanned aviation by applying time-honored aviation safety practices to unmanned aircraft systems. USI accomplishes this mission by developing workforce readiness programs, providing training to UAS crews, and helping flight service providers meet their safety goals. Michael is a certified UAV pilot in three countries with over 6,000 flight hours and more than 7,800 successful, incident-free missions as a Remote Pilot-in-Command. He holds industry and safety certifications from FEMA, OSHA, NIST, and USI. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and industry influencer, passionate about sharing his expertise on UAV technology applications for land, air, and sea operations. He brings a wealth of experience to USI, including aerial mapping, telecom and wind turbine inspections, oil and gas and critical infrastructure assessments, search and rescue operations, as well as involvement with state and federal regulations. An active advocate for the drone industry, he has served as the Policy and Legislative Chairman for the North Central Texas Council of Governments UAS Taskforce and as the Training Officer for the North Texas Public Safety Unmanned Response Team. Additionally, he holds the role of 2nd Lieutenant and the former Director of Unmanned Operations for the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. In this addition of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about the Unmanned Safety Institute and how it helps prepare students for viable careers in the drone industry.

Mike Fraietta is Co-Founder of Gargoyle Systems, a leader in drone detection technology that delivers real-time aerial threat intelligence to security professionals, businesses, and homeowners. With advanced detection capabilities and seamless integration, Gargoyle Systems enables proactive protection against unauthorized drone activity. The company is currently building America's first decentralized Drone Intelligence Network—designed to detect and track both "friendly" and hostile aerial activity, providing real-time awareness of unmanned aircraft in the skies. With a background in innovation and systems thinking, Mike was early to recognize the urgent need for smarter, scalable solutions in aerial security as drones proliferate across commercial, consumer, and military sectors. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Mike talks about Gargoyle Systems, their decentralized Drone Intelligence Network, and how individual asset managers can protect against the growing threat of drone-enabled crime. He also shares insights from his recent visit to the Russia-Ukraine border, where he studied evolving "dark" drones, counter-drone technology, and operational training led by the Ukrainian Drone Command.

Stéphane Timpano is CEO of ASPIRE, the program management and business development arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council located in Abu Dhabi. The ATRC's mission is to build a vibrant research and development ecosystem that supports Abu Dhabi—and the broader UAE—in its transformation into a knowledge-based economy. With nearly 1,300 employees representing over 80 nationalities, the Council is also investing in the next generation of innovators through a wide range of STEM initiatives. ASPIRE drives the Council's programmatic efforts by crowdsourcing top global talent through international competitions and grand challenges. These challenges are designed to tackle real-world problems—everything from global hunger and maritime safety to the future of autonomous mobility—by bringing together experts from academia and industry to co-create cutting-edge solutions. As CEO, Stéphane leads ASPIRE's strategic direction and oversees relationships with key stakeholders and partners. He brings more than 20 years of management consulting experience, including major client engagement in the Telecom and Technology industries at Bain & Company in the entire EMEA region. Before consulting, Stéphane worked in the media industry in Italy, gaining valuable experience at Sky Italia News Corporation and IMS (EMI Group). He holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, a degree in Political Sciences and a degree in Economics in France. Recently, more than 2,500 people gathered to watch top autonomous drone racers compete for a $1 million prize pool at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Drone Racein Abu Dhabi. And in case you were wondering, MavLab, from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, secured victories in three out of four competitions. They clinched the AI Grand Challenge with their drone completing two laps of the 170-metre course in just 17 seconds. MavLab won the world's first AI-only drag race, demonstrating straight-line speed and precision under intense acceleration. And in a landmark moment, MavLab's autonomous drone defeated three top DCL champion pilots in a head-to-head AI-versus-human showdown. With precision flying, the AI-powered drone edged out its human-piloted rivals in thrilling contests. Equally impressive was TII Racing from the UAE, which triumphed in the multi-drone challenge, showcasing advanced coordination, collision avoidance, and team-based AI strategy. These same decision-making skills are vital in cargo delivery, emergency response, and next-gen aviation, where precision under pressure is non-negotiable. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Stéphane shares insights into ASPIRE's mission, the rise of autonomous racing challenges, and the broader impact these competitions can have across technology, education, and industry.