Ethan Thornton is the founder of MACH Industries, a next-generation defense technology and manufacturing company that's dedicated to redefining the future of modern combat through their hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and drone defense systems. A 21-year-old MIT dropout, Ethan left higher learning in 2023 after receiving a Thiel Fellowship from tech startup investor Peter Thiel (as well as placing on Forbes 30 under 30 list) to pursue working at MACH full-time.
Considered by some to be a modern tech savant who shares the stage with the likes of Elon Musk or Marvel's fictional billionaire Tony Stark, Ethan's goal is to create more cost-effective and efficient defense systems by replacing traditional munitions with hydrogen-powered alternatives. He's also attracted significant attention for his work at the Department of Defense, with his innovative approach to crafting weapons systems like Viper, Glide, and Stratus leading some to believe that MACH may very well be rewriting the rulebook when it comes to combat engagements and aerial warfare.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
16:40 - Half Nerd, Half Normal - Growing Up in Boerne, Texas
29:10 - A $200 Hydrogen Bazooka - Leaving MIT To Make Weapons
41:42 - Viper, Glide, & Stratus - Building The Future of Warfare at MACH Industries
54:38 - China, Israel, Russia, & Ukraine - Manufacturing Warfare in Ongoing Wars
01:01:20 - Battling Bureaucracy - Working Alongside Global Governments
01:19:18 - A Weaponized Economy - Why China is Fueling Both Sides of the War
01:27:35 - Artificial Intelligence - Using AI in Defense Manufacturing
01:27:35 - Moral Integrity - Should AI Be Allowed To Make Lethal Decisions?
01:46:53 - Weapon-Specific - Modern Munitions At MACH
01:54:04 - Independent Terrorist Organizations - Combatting Splinter-Cell Warfare
02:04:53 - Nuclear Capabilities - Exploring Nuclear Deterrents
02:17:18 - Launching MACH - Going Online Against Global Superpowers in 2025
02:17:18 - Announcing Viper - Revealing Our New Weapons System
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Support Ethan Thornton -
Website - https://machindustries.com/
Follow Ethan on X - https://x.com/ethanrthornton
Follow MACH Industries on X - https://x.com/Mach_Industries
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Sponsors:
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