Over the past year, one of the standout segments on Weapons and Warfare has been the Weapon of the Week. These videos consistently garner some of the highest views, which makes sense given that weapons are a core part of our name. In this special year-end review, we’re counting down our favorite weapons of the week.
Dakota’s Pick: Andrews Anime Launch Trailer
Dakota Piteo, our motion graphics designer, kicks off the countdown with his favorite from Episode 38, the Andrews Anime Launch Trailer.
“I picked this one for the graphics,” Piteo said. “It featured a minute-and-a-half anime-style segment where characters were fighting and building missiles on an assembly line, which then flew off at the end. It was classic.”
He also highlighted the simplicity of the missiles, which have 50% fewer parts than a typical missile of that size and can be assembled with just ten tools.
“It seems crazy, like something you could build in your garage,” he added, praising both the creative team behind the trailer and the engineers who designed the missile.
Brian’s Pick: HevenDrones’ Hydrogen-Powered Drone
Next up, Brian Spencer, our video editor, chose a drone from HevenDrones, notable for its hydrogen fuel source.
“I prefer hydrogen over electricity because it’s the most abundant resource in the world and can be pulled straight from the air,” Spencer explained.
He emphasized the drone’s ability to generate more fuel while in flight, making it a promising technology for future military applications.
“While it’s not ready for immediate deployment, it’s a cool experiment in emerging technologies,” he said.
Brett’s Pick: Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company
Senior Producer Brett Baker’s favorite wasn’t a piece of hardware or technology, but a new unit the Army is developing in response to lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict.
“The Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company equips small reconnaissance teams with the tech and equipment to perform various missions,” Baker said.
He believes this initiative is a significant step forward in modernizing the military and preparing for future conflicts.
Ryan’s Pick: EnforceAir2 from D-Fend
Finally, Host Ryan Robertson’s pick for Weapon of the Week is the EnforceAir2 from D-Fend, a timely choice given recent drone incidents in New Jersey. This technology allows users to track, identify and take control of drones within their airspace.
“It’s a vital piece of technology that exists today and will likely become widespread soon,” Robertson noted, emphasizing the need for legal changes to allow local law enforcement to use it.
Final Thoughts
Baker summed it up well: “This has been a great ride so far. The fact that it works so well and looks so good, even though we’re all remote, is pretty impressive.”
Spencer added, “The commitment to excellence from everyone involved has been great, and we pick each other up when things get tough.”
Dakota echoed these sentiments, thanking our viewers for their support and looking forward to sharing more in the coming year.
Thank you for watching and sharing our content. We look forward to bringing you more exciting segments in 2025.
Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.
Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.