Aerospace & Defense Technology

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Bryan Bockmon, CEO of AimLock, discusses how autonomous targeting and AI-enabled fire control are being applied to one of the fastest-evolving battlefield threats: small unmanned aerial systems. The conversation examines AimLock’s latest collaboration with FN America and howthe companies are integrating sensor fusion, autonomy, and precision engagement capabilities into vehicle-mounted weapon systems designed for counter-UAS missions.
RELATED:C-UAS Magazine Call for Papers
During SOF Week 2026, AimLock and FN America unveiled the Dunetechnology demonstrator, which brings AimLock’s autonomy suite for networked, layered counter-UAS defense into FN America’s FN DEFENDER® Medium remote weapon station. The integrated system is designed to give militaryvehicles a scalable, mounted countermeasure against low-cost attack drones and other aerial threats.
The episode also explores why defense organizations areprioritizing modular, open-architecture solutions that can improve force protection without requiring full platform replacements. Bockmon shares insights on emerging trends in autonomy, precision engagement, and layered counter-drone defense as military forces adapt to a rapidly changing threatenvironment.

How can commercial technologies accelerate innovation indefense mobility and mission-ready vehicle platforms?
On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Paul Beaker, chief engineer of advanced product development at GM Defense, shares insights from the Aerospace Manufacturing and Materials Digital Summit 2026, exploring how the company is leveraging commercial engineering, advanced manufacturing processes, electrification, and rapid technology integration to support evolving military requirements.
During his presentation, Beaker also explains how GMDefense is incorporating robotics into its design, inspection, and assembly processes for some of the military ground vehicles it is currently manufacturing. The discussion highlights the company’s approach to accelerating capability development, reducing program risk, and delivering next-generationmobility solutions for defense customers. Tune in to hear how commercial innovation is shaping the future of military vehicle development and operational readiness.

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Reaction Dynamics propulsion engineer and Moriusfounder Balin Moher explains how artificial intelligence AI, digital engineering, and structured engineering data could help reshape how aerospace teams design and validate complex rocket systems.
The discussion explores Reaction Dynamics’ hybrid rocketpropulsion work, the engineering challenges behind designing rocket components and assemblies, and how Moher created Morius as an on-premises AI design tool focused on keeping engineering work aligned with trusted project data.
"Morius runs entirely on-premises - your data never leaves the building - for regulated industries where data security comesfirst," Moher said.
The conversation also looks at how AI could support earlierdesign capture, faster iteration, and more reviewable decision-making across safety-critical aerospace programs.
As aerospace and defense organizations look for ways toaccelerate development without sacrificing traceability or engineering rigor, Moher explains how tools like Morius could become a reliability layer for AI-assisted design and a force multiplier for engineers working on rockets, propulsion systems, and other complex platforms.

On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Brian Ippolitto, Vice President of Space Systems, discusses how spacecraft component engineering is evolving to meet the accelerating demands of commercial space growth. Drawing on more than a decade of experience across engineering, operations, and business development, he outlines the transition from low-volume development programs to high-rate manufacturing — now delivering tens of thousands of precision components annually for satellites, launch vehicles, and deep-space missions.
The conversation explores how propulsion systems and critical subsystems are being scaled to production, how quality and reliability are maintained at volume, and what it takes to support the next phase of commercial space expansion.

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Star Catcher Industries is developing an in-space powergrid that captures sunlight in orbit and delivers it wirelessly to satellites on demand. The Florida-based startup's approach uses optical power beaming to deliver concentrated solar energy to satellites and spacecraft in orbit.
On this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast, Star Catcher CEO Andrew Rush explains how theirin-space power grid could help reduce one of the biggest constraints on satellite performance: limited onboard power. The discussion explores how beamed energy could work with existing solar arrays and potentially support higher-power payloads, longer mission operations, and more capable satellitearchitectures.
The conversation also looks at the company’s recenttechnology milestones, including end-to-end architecture validation and progress toward orbital demonstrations. As demand grows for communications, Earth observation, defense sensing, and space-based computing, the Star Catcher CEO explains how shared power infrastructure could become a key enabler for the next generation of space systems.