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.
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Future Ready: Drones, Doctrine, and the Fight for Overmatch | Part II
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 feedback from NCOs and junior officers, and how today’s decisions will determine whether the U.S. maintains strategic overmatch in future conflicts. It’s a look into the architecture of tomorrow’s battlefield—designed by those who’ve fought on today’s.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.
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Future Ready: Drones, Doctrine, and the Fight for Overmatch | Part I
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 protect future warfighters—and why the Army’s drone doctrine must evolve quickly or risk falling behind. Brabner explains what capability really means in today’s fight and how his team is working to close critical gaps before they cost lives.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.
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Drones in Combat: Ukrainian Pilots Speak Out
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.S. are making in their approach to Ukraine's drone war.Why reliance on GPS in modern warfare is a fatal flaw.The rapid adaptability of drone operators and why they are not in a "safe" profession.How North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine could change the balance of power in East Asia.The role of technology and why immediate, full-scale support is crucial to Ukraine’s survival.This is a must-listen for defense policymakers, military strategists, and anyone interested in the future of warfare.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.
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Lessons from Ukraine’s Top Drone Pilots
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 positions, and the role of electronic warfare in modern combat.From deceptive Russian hiding tactics to the rapid innovation cycle in drone technology, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of military technology and autonomous warfare. What lessons must NATO and Western allies learn from Ukraine’s fight? And how will AI shape the next stage of drone warfare? Tune in to find out.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.
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