Oct. 11, 2025

Autonomous Fighter Drones and the Next Era of Air Superiority | Jeff Wright, SplashOne Robotics

Autonomous Fighter Drones and the Next Era of Air Superiority | Jeff Wright, SplashOne Robotics

Jeff Wright, founder and CEO of SplashOne Robotics, joins the show to discuss how his company is developing small, purpose-built fighter drones to redefine air superiority.


A former Marine and Air Force Special Tactics Officer, Wright brings a warfighter’s perspective to modern defense tech — from the limits of current counter-drone systems to the coming shift toward autonomous, air-to-air combat.


We cover the “drone bubble” shaping defense startups, how SplashOne is tackling the kill chain end-to-end, and why bullets—not missiles—may define the next era of air defense.


Wright also shares what he learned leading drone initiatives across INDOPACOM, why he built his first prototypes in his garage, and what it takes to found a defense startup straight out of uniform.


This episode goes deep on the future of air combat, the realities of defense innovation, and the mindset required to build the next generation of fighter drones.


Episode #49.


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