Weapons and Warfare: A Year-End Review of Favorite “Weapon of the Week” Segments
Over the past year, the “Weapon of the Week” segment on Weapons and Warfare has consistently been one of our most popular, attracting high viewership. This is unsurprising, given that “weapons” is a core component of our show’s title. In this special year-end review, the Weapons and Warfare team counts down our favorite segments from the past year.
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 explained. “It featured a minute-and-a-half anime-style segment with characters fighting and building missiles on an assembly line, which then flew off at the end. It was classic.” He also highlighted the missile’s simplicity: 50% fewer parts than a typical missile of that size, assemblable with just ten tools. “It seems crazy, like something you could build in your garage,” he added, praising both the creative team and the engineers.
Next, 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 in flight, making it promising technology for future military applications. “While it’s not ready for immediate deployment, it’s a cool experiment in emerging technologies,” he added.
Senior Producer Brett Baker’s favorite wasn’t a piece of hardware, but a new Army unit developed in response to lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict: the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC). “It equips small reconnaissance teams with the tech and equipment to perform various missions,” Baker said, believing this initiative significantly modernizes the military and prepares it for future conflicts.
Finally, Host Ryan Robertson’s pick, the EnforceAir2 from D-Fend, is particularly timely given recent drone incidents in New Jersey. This technology allows users to track, identify, and take control of drones in 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 utilize it.
Reflecting on the year, Baker commented, “This has been a great ride. 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 viewers for their support and looking forward to 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 and podcast episodes here.