In 2017, alongside TILT Autonomy CEO Ryan Beall, I co-based and co-led a drone engineering group seamlessly integrated within the organization. With extensive backgrounds as energetic and committed Army officers, we brought to DIU a deep understanding of drone engineering expertise at a time of great significance. The Islamic State had built a remarkably effective drone air capability over the preceding year. China’s DJI had decimated American drone manufacturers like 3DR and GoPro. The U.S. operated at a critical pace in a vital knowledge domain, both on the front lines and within industry.
Within a three-year span, Rogue Squadron evolved into a leading force in U.S. drone engineering, renowned for its exceptional efficiency. authorities. While many stories remain unspoken, Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff’s recent e-book, , sheds light on previously unknown tales. Initially, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis instructed the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to expand the scope of Rogue Squadron’s activities across the Department of Defense. Backed by top-tier ranges, we built Rogue Squadron into a formidable force – equal parts state-of-the-art software development hub, center of expertise, and robust defense shield.
As our expertise evolved, we emerged as the Defense Department’s premier group for conducting reverse engineering and exploitation on DJI drones. We developed a global drone detection network spanning multiple countries, and provided support to over 200 U.S. Government agencies and non-profit organizations with numerous drone-related operations. We also proposed innovative strategic thinking to disrupt DJI’s dominance and revitalize the US. industry by developing a novel manufacturing process that leverages cutting-edge technology, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and creating a robust ecosystem that fosters innovation and competition. and allied/associate drone {industry}. Our team’s efforts directly informed the Military’s procurement process and accelerated its advancement.
Perhaps our most significant challenge over the years stemmed from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) cumbersome expertise management system, which consistently thwarted Ryan and me from establishing a long-term presence that allowed us to bring our work to fruition. Colleagues have been urging us to launch a venture: “Why not establish an organization?”
Four years on, following tenures in the industry and academia, we’re taking a deliberate step in this direction. Tilt Autonomy, a collective entity focused on providing swift access to pioneering autonomy technology solutions for customers.
As we transition into the private sector, our commitment to providing expertise to the warfighter remains unwavering.
The TILT Philosophy
By warfighters, for warfighters
Our guiding principle is rooted in the iconic Rogue Squadron’s motto: “We’re taking this ethos forward to empower TILT Autonomy.” With expertise in both military leadership and technology, we are uniquely situated to forecast emerging battle trends, comprehend the interdependent dynamics of innovation and tactics, and respond swiftly to urgent demands. With decades of collective experience in operational models, the defence acquisition landscape, academia, and the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector, we bring our expertise to TILT. Our unwavering commitment will always be to empowering the warfighter.
One government-industry group
Within the confines of Rogue Squadron, we established an innovative entity that seamlessly integrated both active-duty military personnel and contract software developers, fostering a unique blend of expertise. We collaborated intensively within a solitary laboratory setting as a cohesive unit. As we establish a resilient heritage and dismantle barriers, we can accelerate progress at an astonishing rate. As circumstances evolved on the battlefield, our flexible and adaptable contract enabled us to respond quickly and effectively to changing needs.
At TILT Autonomy, we forge close relationships with valued customers and authority partners. Collaborations between courageous and innovative leaders, strengthened by unwavering trust, yield remarkable results that transcend mere expectations? During my tenure at Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), I played a key role in identifying and developing new technologies, culminating in my final year serving as Deputy Director of the Air Force’s premier innovation education program. TILT is a perfect associate for federal R&D labs, operational warfighting models, the DoD’s “monster garages” like and , and innovation organizations just like the and .
Smaller, high-performing teams can achieve seemingly impossible feats.
Small groups of passionate, highly skilled individuals can harness their collective expertise to rapidly develop and disseminate innovative knowledge. These groups enable exceptional team members to excel and exhibit low operational costs. As our tempo of growth continued to accelerate within Rogue Squadron, the validity of this fundamental premise was starkly confirmed.
As we build TILT, our collective vision guides us. With decades of experience in small drone engineering, Ryan and I have developed a profound understanding of the industry, having established valuable connections with exceptional professionals across the sector. Ryan’s tenures at large corporations had the unintended consequence of revealing his exceptional skills. We are actively seeking out and recruiting top-tier technologists.
Optimize for pace
It is crucially important to note that success does not belong to the nation that pioneers novel technology, but rather to the one that effectively incorporates and adjusts its strategy accordingly? The statement urged the department to focus on swift delivery and consistent iteration. Likewise, in 2018 Dr. As Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Protection Innovation Board, he stated: “In my view, the Division often misjudges the benefits of consensus, stability, and transparency at the expense of speed and adaptability; if I had to identify a single factor to address, it would be accelerating the pace.”
Consensus, stability, and transparency are essential principles that are consistently prioritized within the Department of Defense, as numerous components emphasize their importance for achieving strategic objectives with confidence. However, DoD also seeks frontline technical teams that can rapidly acquire and apply new skills. TILT Autonomy must establish partnerships with these key organizations.
Construct issues and iterate
The Division of Protection typically invests years in crafting elegant solutions before rolling out innovative capabilities. In reality, large-scale initiatives often rely on seamless collaboration among numerous parties to achieve their objectives. We require well-designed architectures and protocols for numerous applications; yet, in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, it is equally crucial that organizations can rapidly develop and refine innovative technologies to stay competitive.
is to remain adaptable and open to pivoting when circumstances change or new information emerges, allowing for quick course corrections that propel the organization forward in a rapidly evolving environment. As Ukraine’s battlefields blur the lines between strategic analysis and operational maintenance, the distinction between these two essential functions erodes completely? Battlefield innovation often emerges when modern warfighters leverage cell phones, as well as previously confirmed technologies like satellite communications and makeshift networks. A novel production model is swiftly deployed to the manufacturing process, with operational experts providing prompt insights, while builders and warfighters collaborate closely, refining and revising their work at an accelerated pace.
At TILT, we’re builders. Interval. At all times, our primary focus is on delivering a seamless shopping experience that provides customers with instant access to what they need or want. Prototypes prove to be remarkably effective in identifying and refining essential needs.
Considering the entire production process from inception to delivery, what specific adjustments should be made to optimize efficiency, minimize waste, and enhance customer satisfaction?
DoD has distinct organizations for R&D and manufacturing. Consequently, despite the DoD’s innovative ecosystem generating an astonishing volume of novel experimentation, much of it never translates to the battlefield. Despite its imperfections,
As a stalwart unit of Rogue Squadron, we consistently delivered cutting-edge capabilities to the frontlines. We were provided with a framework for contemplating production and deployment strategies. We begin every new project by contemplating the potential for manufacturing at TILT. While prototyping and experimentation are inherently open-ended and exploratory, we aim to thoughtfully consider manufacturing requirements from the outset of the design process. As a trusted partner, we seamlessly accompany clients throughout the entire project journey, effortlessly navigating the process from divergent thinking and initial exploration to iterative refinement, small-batch production, and large-scale implementation.
Automate and observe steady supply
TILT Autonomy embodies best practices in modern software development. The development of Rogue Squadron coincided with the launch of the “software production facility” initiative within the Department of Defense (DoD). As pioneers in implementing the DevSecOps approach, we’ve successfully integrated a suite of best practices, including streamlined automation, continuous integration testing, proactive vulnerability scanning, and seamless software deployment. These practices significantly accelerate the tempo of supply, concurrently amplifying both quality and resilience. Automating repetitive tasks and processes can be a vital strategy for ensuring long-term scalability in any business or organization?
Read the play.
As technological advancements accelerate, DoD necessities increasingly fall short of addressing emerging threats. Happily, modern army officers are completely conscious of this lag and regularly bend the DoD’s R&D and acquisition programs to raised put together for the longer term.
At Rogue Squadron, we’re known for “skating to where the puck goes.” Two years prior to Syrian insurgents employing this tactic in Syria, we simulated drone swarm air base assaults. We developed distant ID programs for friendly forces before the FAA-approved system was in place. Years ahead of the Islamic State’s fielding of “RF dark” drones, we constructed these capabilities. Our team also worked on DJI safety mitigation instruments before vulnerabilities were widely understood, and we labored on datalink and GPS/GNSS-denied drone tech before Ukraine’s use of it.
As we move forward, we are committed to embodying this philosophy at TILT. Given our profound understanding of the {industry}, we identify pain points and consistently explore ways to leverage cutting-edge technology at the forefront of innovation for the benefit of the warfighter.
Work with us
Delivering advanced capabilities to warfighters necessitates a harmonious partnership between dedicated experts within governments and industry stakeholders. As members of Rogue Squadron, we donned authoritative hats. As industry experts at TILT Autonomy, we seamlessly transition between various roles.
Our fundamental principles remain consistent.
We’re excited to collaborate with TILT Autonomy CEO Ryan Beall and his team at the TILT group on a crucial initiative: developing and deploying cutting-edge autonomy technology that enhances our warfighters’ capabilities.
For organizations of all kinds – from authorities groups to educational departments and corporate entities – we are simply tools designed to reach a common destination. TILT Autonomy is pleased to showcase its latest advancements in innovative drone autonomy, featuring a state-of-the-art prototype that embodies the culmination of their ongoing research and development efforts. TILT provides a trusted partner for modern authorities and industry partners seeking reliable drone engineering services.
If you’re interested in associating with our mission, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Attain out at
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