Boots, Boards & Breakthroughs - Jake Windle | Part I

In Part I of this special two-part episode, host Dan Magy reconnects with an old friend—Jake Windle, former Master Chief at Naval Special Warfare and now a partner at Harpoon Ventures. The conversation kicks off with Jake's transition from elite military operations to early-stage tech, and how he became one of the first to identify drones as a rising threat on the battlefield.Jake shares the origin story of Citadel Defense and recounts the scrappy, experimental beginnings of counter-UAS warfare—years before it was mainstream. From field tests at Camp Roberts to building rapid prototypes with small teams and limited funding, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how tactical innovation really happens.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring game-changing tech from garage startup to military deployment, this one’s for you.Useful Links:Jake Windle on LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-windle-2196b3109/)Harpoon Ventures: https://harpoon.vcBlueHalo: https://www.bluehalo.comBook: MRAPs: Protecting Soldiers with Technology and Innovation – https://www.amazon.com/MRAPs-Protecting-Soldiers-Technology-Innovation/dp/016094388300:00 – Welcome and reconnecting with Jake Windle01:30 – Reflections on NSW missions and transition into defense investing05:30 – How the drone threat was first identified and Citadel’s beginnings10:00 – Testing drone defense tech, gaining traction, and securing funding15:00 – Navigating DoD bureaucracy, cultural challenges, and procurement hurdles20:00 – Bridging operators and technologists to fast-track innovation#DroneWars #CounterUAS #DefenseTech #MilitaryInnovation #NavySEAL #CitadelDefense #StartupToBattlefield #UnmannedSystems #TacticalTech #VeteransInTechAbout Drone WarsThe Drone Wars Podcast serves the warfighters, builders and innovators who all share a common goal: get the best tech into the hands of those on the frontlines. Dan Magy, Co-Founder and CEO of Firestorm Labs, explores all things defense and geopolitics with experts in the industry.