What matters most when military organizations evaluate autonomous systems: cost, capability, reliability, or battlefield performance?

In this NYSE Live interview from the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition, Josh Stinson, Co-President and Chief Growth Officer of Redwire Defense Tech, discusses the evolution of autonomous military systems, lessons learned from real-world deployments, and the importance of designing solutions that can adapt to rapidly changing operational environments.

JD Durkin spoke with Stinson about military drones, autonomous systems, battlefield innovation, manufacturing scale, European operations, and the future of defense technology.

A major theme throughout the conversation is the growing importance of operational experience in autonomous systems development. Stinson emphasizes that successful military platforms are not built solely through engineering and design but through years of deployment, testing, refinement, and real-world use.

The interview also explores Redwire's long history supporting defense customers. The company has spent years evolving its unmanned aircraft systems through multiple generations of development to address changing mission requirements and increasingly complex operational environments.

Another key topic is the difference between innovation and proven capability. As new entrants continue to emerge in the defense technology market, Stinson argues that demonstrated performance and battlefield reliability remain critical differentiators for military customers.

The conversation further examines what defense organizations prioritize when evaluating autonomous systems. Reliability, endurance, mission effectiveness, and operational readiness often carry greater weight than upfront acquisition costs alone.

A significant focus of the discussion is the importance of mission assurance. Military operators require confidence that a platform will function under demanding conditions and consistently deliver the capabilities promised by its manufacturer.

The interview also highlights evolving battlefield requirements. Modern conflicts increasingly demand systems capable of operating across a range of environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, contested electromagnetic environments, and rapidly changing threat landscapes.

Another major theme is adaptability. Autonomous systems must continuously evolve to address new tactical realities, changing mission profiles, and emerging technologies being deployed by adversaries.

The discussion also explores capabilities such as vertical takeoff and landing technologies, endurance, payload flexibility, and advanced mission-specific features that continue shaping procurement priorities.

Additionally, Stinson discusses the growing need for manufacturing scale. Defense customers increasingly require suppliers that can move beyond prototypes and demonstrate the ability to deliver substantial production volumes when operational requirements expand.

The interview further examines Redwire's investment in manufacturing infrastructure. The company has developed production capabilities across multiple U.S. facilities while expanding international manufacturing capacity to support growing customer demand.

Another key topic is Redwire's European footprint. The company's operations in Latvia help support customers across Europe while providing additional production capacity and operational flexibility.

The conversation also highlights lessons learned from supporting operations related to Ukraine. Rapidly evolving battlefield conditions require continuous adaptation, creating a cycle of operational feedback and product improvement.

A significant theme is the pace of technological change in modern warfare. Systems that were effective only weeks earlier may require modifications as adversaries introduce new tactics, technologies, and countermeasures.

Looking ahead, Stinson expects autonomous systems, scalable manufacturing, continuous innovation, and operational adaptability to remain central priorities as defense organizations modernize capabilities around the world.

Throughout the discussion, Stinson shares insights on autonomous aircraft, military drones, defense innovation, battlefield technology, advanced manufacturing, military modernization, unmanned systems, aerospace technology, operational readiness, and national security.

Disclaimer: Informational content only. NYSE does not endorse or recommend investments, strategies, companies, products, or services discussed.

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