Introduction Aerial systems have become the decisive instrument of twenty-first-century conflict. They see farther than any ground sensor, strike at a fraction of the cost of missiles, operate where manned aircraft cannot survive, and—most crucially—regenerate faster than any enemy can destroy them. From platoon overwatch to strategic denial campaigns, aerial systems are no longer a supporting capability; they are the main capability. Firestorm Labs, the San Diego company bui

Introduction Unmanned aerial systems are no longer a supporting capability—they are the decisive capability. They see first, strike first, survive where manned aircraft cannot, and—most critically—regenerate faster than any adversary can destroy them. From squad-level reconnaissance to strategic suppression of enemy air defenses, unmanned aerial systems  have become the primary way modern forces project power. Firestorm Labs, the San Diego company built on the promise to “dem