Anti-Drone Warfare and the Speed of Contemporary Military Conflict
Summary
This episode of the "Cogs of War" podcast, released on March 19, 2026, goes beyond the narrow topic of drone countermeasures to examine the broader question of how the United States prepares for and conducts modern warfare. The discussion features executives from three leading counter-drone technology companies — AeroVironment, Epirus, and Hidden Level — who provide expert perspectives on how both America and its adversaries are evolving their tactics and capabilities. A central theme of the conversation is whether the U.S. military is adequately keeping pace with the rapidly changing drone threat landscape, alongside a critical examination of the inefficiencies in America's defense procurement and acquisition systems. Host Ryan Evans also addresses the issue of defense companies that overstate or misrepresent the contributions they are making to Ukraine's war effort. Although the episode was conceived before the outbreak of the latest conflict with Iran, the ongoing fighting in the Middle East lends the discussion significantly greater urgency and relevance.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The episode broadens the counter-drone conversation to address fundamental questions about how America wages and prepares for modern war
- 2. Leaders from AeroVironment, Epirus, and Hidden Level offer frontline industry perspectives on the evolving drone threat environment
- 3. The U.S. military's ability to keep pace with rapidly advancing drone technology is questioned and critically examined
- 4. America's defense procurement and acquisition processes are identified as a significant systemic problem hindering effective response
- 5. The escalating conflict in the Middle East adds heightened urgency to discussions about counter-drone capabilities and military readiness