Paradigm Shift
Red Cat’s smaller, more agile, and cost-effective drones help give American warfighters a tactical edge in precision strike operations.
Jeff Thompson is a serial tech entrepreneur with a long track record of founding and leading companies from startup phase to successful exits and IPOs. His background is in the telecom space, where he founded EdgeNet, a private Internet Service provider (ISP) that was sold to Citadel Broadcasting in 1997. He then co-founded Towerstream, a wireless service provider. With an ongoing passion for innovative technology, he then founded Red Cat, which recently acquired Teal Drones. As one who believes his company is helping to define the future of aerial intelligence, he says the mission of Red Cat is “to provide critical situational awareness and enhance the effectiveness and safety of military and security operations domestically and globally.”
SHOT Business: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry in the next five years?
Jeff Thompson: A big challenge for both our industry and our nation is aligning rapidly evolving sUAS (small unmanned aircraft system) technology with the government’s traditionally slow ability to equip and train warfighters with the latest and greatest. This is critical in the current geopolitical environment, where the U.S. and its allies must maintain an edge over global adversaries. Our industry must take proactive steps to accelerate this alignment to ensure national security and operational readiness.
With respect to technology-specific challenges, as cyber and electronic warfare continue to evolve, there will be an ongoing cat-and-mouse game with the use of sUAS in defense. The ability to securely and reliably transmit data across the battlefield will remain a cornerstone of mission success, and Red Cat is committed to tackling these challenges head on by continuously innovating and ensuring our technology can operate effectively in contested environments.
SB: What opportunities do you see?
JT: There is immense opportunity to redefine what drones can do for defense applications, especially American-made systems. We’re witnessing a paradigm shift toward smaller, more agile, and cost-effective drones—and ones that warfighters can deploy quickly and easily at the tactical edge for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and precision strike operations.
With the technology itself, the sky’s the limit for innovation and multi-domain system integration. Earlier this year, we launched the Red Cat Futures Initiative, which is an independent, industry-wide consortium of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) partners that are working to bridge critical gaps and bolster support for our warfighters through open architecture and interoperability. Working with leaders in UAS hardware and software companies focused on AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning), swarming, FPV (first person view), command and control, and payloads allows us to address critical gaps and develop solutions that directly benefit our warfighters.
SB: When you get up in the morning, what gets you excited about working in the industry?
JT: What excites me the most is the opportunity to lead a company making a real impact on national security. I am surrounded by folks with deep roots in the drone and aerospace industry, many of whom come from a military background and understand the needs of warfighters firsthand. Every day, I’m inspired by the potential we have to deliver meaningful solutions that protect our soldiers and allies.
Seeing Red Cat evolve from its early days into a company at the forefront of drone technology is a journey I’m deeply proud of. The challenges are significant, but so are the rewards when you see your innovations making a difference on the battlefield.
SB: What spurred your interest in drones, and how did you first conceive and build your early products?
JT: My passion for drones stems from a lifelong interest in technology and innovation. Early in my career, I recognized the opportunity for drones to transform our country’s approach to defense. That vision led me to establish Red Cat, with the goal of creating cutting-edge, American-made systems that address the unique needs of warfighters.
From the beginning, our mission has been to push the boundaries of what drones can achieve while maintaining a relentless focus on quality and reliability. This foundation has driven everything we’ve done—from research and development to manufacturing to acquisition. Every decision we make is intentionally designed to advance innovation.
SB: How will you meet the expectations of your customers?
JT: We’re always looking ahead and investing heavily into R&D to stay ahead of customer expectations. As a company focused solely on defense applications, we are able to take the time to truly understand the needs of warfighters in the field and ensure every innovation connects with those needs. The Red Cat Family of Systems, which includes Teal, FlightWave, and a new line of FPV drones, opens up many doors to ensure we can provide systems that meet the needs and expectations of the end user. Quality control and assurance has always been a critical part of our operations, and we are relentless in our mission to not only meet, but exceed expectations for every system we ship.
SB: In a very competitive world, how does Teal Drones stay ahead of the pack?
JT: At Red Cat, we prioritize innovation, speed, and strategic partnerships. Our defense-first focus allows us to channel all our resources into addressing the unique challenges of military operations. We don’t try to be everything to everyone—we strive to be the best in defense.
The Red Cat Futures Initiative is a key differentiator for us, enabling us to lead the charge in developing interoperable and mission-specific solutions. This collaboration positions us to anticipate and meet emerging needs while staying ahead of competitors.
SB: Drone technology seems to be evolving quickly, driven by relentless innovation and accompanying technological breakthroughs. How does Teal take advantage of this?
JT: Teal is built around a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) that allows us to quickly integrate new technologies and partner with specialized companies to enhance our offerings. Collaboration is central to our strategy.
We’re not just trying to do everything ourselves; we’re collaborating with companies that specialize in their niches to push the boundaries of what our drones can achieve. This approach prioritizes our customers and ensures we stay at the top of the market.
SB: As drone technology evolves, do you see its uses spreading beyond how it is currently employed in the military and law enforcement communities?
JT: Absolutely. While our current focus is on defense applications, the technology we develop has the potential to transform other sectors over time. History has shown that innovations initially designed for military use often find applications in commercial markets, and I believe the same will be true for drones.
With our Family of Systems and extensive partner network, we’re enabling a broad range of operational use cases across air, land, sea, and subsea environments. These advancements not only address current defense needs, but also pave the way for future commercial applications, where drones can become indispensable tools in everyday life. redcat.red
