Drone Radio Show
Weekly conversations with entrepreneurs and experts about commercial drone technology and business use cases.
Persistent Flight in the Stratosphere - Justin Selfridge, Phd. And CEO of Devorto
In this episode, Dr. Justin Selfridge, founder and CEO of DeVorto, explains the Tethered Uni‑Rotor Network (TURN), a novel aircraft architecture that uses multiple small rotor‑like drones tethered to a central hub and spun to keep ultra‑thin wings under tension, enabling solar‑powered, year‑round loiter in the stratosphere. He highlights how TURN combines helicopter‑style rotation with fixed‑wing efficiency to overcome the energy and structural limits that have hampered other high‑altitude platforms such as balloons, airships, and traditional gliders. Backed by NASA, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, the system aims to provide persistent, low‑cost communications and sensing services at about 12 miles altitude—bridging the gap between terrestrial cell towers and satellites. Selfridge’s aerospace background and prior work at NASA lend credibility to the ambitious goal of indefinite, unmanned flight for data‑relay and surveillance missions.
Uncrewed Systems in the Arctic: Security, Surveillance, and NATO's Growing Role - Federico Borsari, CEPA
In this episode, Federico Borsari of the Center for European Policy Analysis explains how uncrewed systems are becoming essential for security, surveillance, and infrastructure protection in the Arctic. He outlines the shifting NATO threat picture—driven by Russia’s expanding presence, NATO’s...
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
Making Autonomous Cargo Work at Real-World Scale: Charles Acknin, CEO Skyways
In this episode, Charles Acknin, CEO of Skyways, discusses how his company is moving autonomous cargo drones from prototype to operational scale, highlighting real‑world missions that deliver substantial payloads for military and commercial clients. He explains the technical and regulatory...
Securing the Skies: Detecting and Responding to Drone Threats - Logan Harris, CEO Spotter Global
In this episode, Logan Harris discusses the escalating threat posed by drones and how Spotter Global’s compact radar and Remote ID solutions are being deployed to safeguard critical infrastructure and large public events. He explains the evolution from military‑focused surveillance...