President @ Allen Control Systems. Founder and CEO of Bbot, acq by DoorDash. Host of The Drone Ultimatum - number 1 defense tech podcast.

Alexandria, VA
Allen Control Systems makes Bullfrog, an autonomous counter drone weapon station....and we are HIRING (roles at allencontrolsystems.com)! @waltmac of @CBSAustin visited us to learn more about Bullfrog and how it meets the rising drone threat with unmatched precision:
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Stop working on the food delivery or rideshare app and join us in Austin
Allen Control Systems
reminder: we are hiring at @allencontrol systems
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‘What is the weight of it, the power supply, and the autonomy time?’
Replying to @StevenSimoni
What is the weight of it, the power supply, and the autonomy time?
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. @elonmusk is correct and right now, America can't produce nearly as many drones as it needs (@naval has also spoken on this), so we need to get really good at killing drones: first individual drones, and later, swarms.
Elon Musk: We'll be fighting machines that aim with micron-level accuracy and never get tired. “Drones are going to be overwhelmingly what matters between any powers that have significant technology. My personal belief is that it'll actually probably be too dangerous to have humans at the front. It's drones at the front. Drones don't miss. If you've seen some of the computer-controlled sniper rifles, they just don't miss. So you're fighting a machine that's going to, you know, aim with micron-level accuracy and never gets tired.” Talk at the West Point Military Academy, August 16, 2024
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Think about it @Waymo We could be so good together
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you could work on b2b saas or you could work on this:
Allen Control Systems
We are hiring at @allencontrol systems btw
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We’re hiring for machine learning, embedded systems, firmware, electrical, and mechanical engineering roles at @allencontrol systems. We’re based in Austin, Texas. We shoot down drones. Enjoy the weekend!
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We're hiring computer vision and machine learning experts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and embedded systems experts. This will be the most rewarding job you've ever had. The mission and the people are second to none.
Steven Simoni
We are hiring at @allencontrol systems btw
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“Imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission”
imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission 😭😭
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The missile knows where it is at all times. It knows this because it knows where it isn't. By subtracting where it is from where it isn't, or where it isn't from where it is (whichever is greater), it obtains a difference, or deviation. The guidance subsystem uses deviations to generate corrective commands to drive the missile from a position where it is to a position where it isn't, and arriving at a position where it wasn't, it now is. Consequently, the position where it is, is now the position that it wasn't, and it follows that the position that it was, is now the position that it isn't. In the event that the position that it is in is not the position that it wasn't, the system has acquired a variation, the variation being the difference between where the missile is, and where it wasn't. If variation is considered to be a significant factor, it too may be corrected by the GEA. However, the missile must also know where it was. The missile guidance computer scenario works as follows. Because a variation has modified some of the information the missile has obtained, it is not sure just where it is. However, it is sure where it isn't, within reason, and it knows where it was. It now subtracts where it should be from where it wasn't, or vice-versa, and by differentiating this from the algebraic sum of where it shouldn't be, and where it was, it is able to obtain the deviation and its variation, which is called error.
ummm this is the type of brainrot that really gets me going a short look inside how the AIM-9 sidewinder, the GOAT of air to air missiles, works
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'how many ordnance-equipped drones would it take to overwhelm your system? is this a scenario that you've tested to failure?'
Replying to @StevenSimoni
Interesting, but how many ordnance-equipped drones would it take to overwhelm your system? Is this a scenario that you've tested to failure?
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‘You see in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend...‘
Allen Control Systems
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'What are you using for detection, Radar with Slaved RGB/Thermal?'
Replying to @StevenSimoni
What are you using for detection, Radar with Slaved RGB/Thermal?
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'would love to know how the detection and engagement box are designed'
Replying to @StevenSimoni
would love to know how the detection and engagement box are designed
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TL;DR 90% of drones are made in China, they're easily weaponized and it'll take a ~decade to catch up *While we catch up*, we need to learn to defeat SWARMS of incoming drones; accuracy and lethality are measured by cost efficiency Meet Bullfrog, from Allen Control Systems:
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We’re hiring embedded systems, electrical, and machine learning engineers at Allen Control Systems We’re building automated machinegun turrets You could work somewhere else—but why?
We are hiring at @allencontrol systems btw
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The best solution against drone swarms will be autonomous guns. It’s the only thing that will be reliable enough while making economic sense. Come join our team!
Drones are evolving. The threat is growing. Bullfrog is the only autonomous kinetic system designed to counter it. Compact, under 200 lbs, 24V DC-powered, and precision-engineered to neutralize Group 1-3 UAVs. When drones adapt, so does Bullfrog. Protecting the protectors.
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‘Will it pick up the drone if it’s coming from a different side. And can it detect helicopters as well?’
Replying to @StevenSimoni
I find this super cool but I do have a question. Will it pick up the drone if it’s coming from a different side. And can it detect helicopters as well?
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Remember I said we're gonna automate the guy out? Our self-aiming machinegun + their self-driving vehicle... @allencontrol + @ForterraDrive = every day will be a worse day than the last one to be on the enemy team
See this bit? We’re gonna automate the guy out of it
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Anyway, back to building the robot machineguns This one's called BOB...happy little CUAS systems...
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BTW @_alisawu besides ai machineguns, we also sell shirts Get yours at: if it flies it dies dot com
imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission 😭😭
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That is so sick @PalmerLuckey can we try and shoot one?
Introducing the Bolt family of man-packable Autonomous Air Vehicles ft. both ISR and munition variants. Bolt-M equips ground forces with simple, lethal, and reliable precision firepower. It uses advanced autonomy software to enable operators to focus on four simple decisions: where to look, what to follow, how to engage, and when to strike. anduril.com/bolt
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Drones go pretty fast, but not faster than bullets Come join us in Austin, TX. We're hiring ML/computer vision, mechanical, firmware and electrical engineers. apply at: allen control systems dot com
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They grow up so fast.... an older version of Bullfrog:
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What an excellent choice of header photo in the NYT article on @reindsummit
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id have done it anyway 🇺🇸 the exit was nice tho if u are a machine learning, mechanical, electrical, or firmware engineer looking for an exit too - come check us out at @allencontrol systems dot com
imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission 😭😭
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720, huh? Cool. Btw you can comfortably comfortably pack 800 rounds of 7.62x51 in one of these ammo cans. Our per round cost is cheaper than drone unit costs.
OK, so now we know. You can comfortably pack a swarm of 720 drones and their launch system into a single 20ft shipping container. For context Germany + France + UK have about 800 tanks between them. The world has changed.
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Autonomous guns are the future of war.
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Come say hello to Bullfrog at Reindustrialize We’re right behind you as you come up the escalators
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Nah, son
Steven Simoni
...still getting merked by a 200 dollar temu drone with abandoned ordnance stuck to it.
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Today @allencontrol systems announces Bullfrog contracts with South Korea & UAE, and a co-production MOU with Romania, opening offices in Europe and Asia to support this work and more. Drones are a global issue and Bullfrog is proving itself the premier cost-effective solution.
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This is a little bit different than restaurant tech.
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We are hiring at @allencontrol systems btw
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Replying to @_alisawu
it’s pretty sick ngl
We're hiring computer vision and machine learning experts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and embedded systems experts. This will be the most rewarding job you've ever had. The mission and the people are second to none.
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The contract is signed. I'm proud to announce that @allencontrol systems will partner with Army Applications Laboratory on the next phase of American autonomous defense. We can't share details just yet but are very excited:
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Make Mondays Great Again If you’re a mechanical engineer, computer vision or firmware expert, or an electrical engineer — come shoot down drones at @allencontrol Systems
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reminder: we are hiring at @allencontrol systems
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It might be time for an @allencontrol systems and @Waymo collaboration.. Waymo, let’s talk soon
New Waymo model with enhanced security features coming soon
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If we get this to 10k retweets we'll do a limited edition table top 9mm bullfrog
Could make a bunch of these...who wants one?
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The @theallinpod nails it. Drone warfare is changing the face of warfare technology. We need to protect U.S. troops, installations and convoys. As our lead investor @DavidSacks notes, it is a resource war. He talks here about why he invested in ACS. @allencontrol ACS lowers the cost per kill of a drone from a Ferrari to a latte. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. Accurate shooting is the foundation for drone warfare. ACS is leading the transformation of battlefield economics.
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When your friends ask about your shirt, say "The Allen Control Systems 'Bullfrog' is an autonomous modular weapon station designed to handle the full kill chain up to Group 3 UAS" if it flies it dies (dot com)
Replying to @MollySOShea
which one do you want
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That’s right. The cost to kill drones is a huge problem. You can scramble jets and use sophisticated missiles to take out (some, larger, slower) drones. But saturation by cheap drones makes that too expensive. So @allencontrol systems is making it cheap:
🇷🇺 NATO’S $1M PROBLEM: SHOOTING DOWN $20K DRONES On paper, NATO’s air defenses look bulletproof. Patriot missiles. F-35s. Radar that can spot a seagull over Siberia. But Russia just exposed the gap: the Alliance can’t efficiently kill cheap drones. These aren’t high-tech stealth threats - they’re flying lawnmowers with explosives. Cost: about $20,000 each. The missile Poland used to take one down? Over a million. Congratulations, you just lost the world’s most expensive trade. NATO’s radar can see them - it just doesn’t make sense to waste million-dollar missiles on what are basically DIY kamikaze kits. And stocks of those missiles? Running low. Solutions exist: lasers (unlimited ammo, power-hungry as hell), flak guns (old-school, cheap, brutal), and interceptor drones (Ukraine’s already doing it). But none are scaled. Yet. The truth: NATO built a shield for Cold War giants - not swarm-sized ghosts. Prediction: expect the next arms race to look less like “Top Gun” and more like “Terminator with Wi-Fi.” Source: BBC, Reuters, NATO Reports, The Economist
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GTFO
Get the Job Done 💯 DJI Zenmuse L3 delivers precision, range, and reliability for professionals who need results, not promises. #djienterprise #ZenmuseL3 #lidarmapping
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We will be able to shoot them down at the cost of a Jimmy John's combo meal
"Russia has significantly increased production of Shahed-136." - Institute for Science and International Security. For example, the Alabuga company was supposed to supply 6,000 drones to Russia by September 2025, but it exceeded the schedule, having already delivered more than 6,000 drones by the end of August 2024.
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Shooting down drones for cheap is what we’re working on at ACS; say hello to Bullfrog
Steven Simoni
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Good morning
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“‘Drones’ are causing a national security crisis in Europe...Electromagnetic pulse weapons...aren’t working.” @allencontrol systems will help you, Europe America uses bullets
Ross Coulthart: ‘Drones’ are causing a national security crisis in Europe, can’t be taken down “Airports are being closed. Electromagnetic pulse weapons normally used to down these so-called drones aren’t working.” “Governments are finding they cannot do anything to respond.”
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We're gonna make it even cheaper
Central Ukraine, a Ukrainian soldier downs a Russian Shahed-136 with a Stinger MANPADS. Notably, the Stinger has been equipped with a cheap off-the-shelf thermal sight, giving it a low cost nighttime engagement capability.
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That’s why we’re building better ones. Come join us at @allencontrol systems;
Allen Control Systems
"From critical military infrastructure to civilian sites, the vulnerability to small, precise, and hard-to-detect systems is growing. Conventional air defenses are often ill-suited for this new threat landscape," notes @csis_ai on Operation Spider's Web. csis.org/analysis/how-ukrain…
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Drones are a problem, no doubt. But that weapon system still costs thousands of dollars per fire. @allencontrol systems is gonna defeat them at an operational cost less than a meal deal at Jimmy John's:
Replying to @Object_Zero_
The DJI Mavic 3 It’s 347mm x 283mm x 108mm It fits in this launch system. It can carry a 1lb payload a distance of 10km It costs $2,000 This is just the commercially available version, not a military grade version.
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Mechanized infantry & armor platforms from troop transports to fighting vehicles like this Bradley are vulnerable to cheap, fast, lethal drones acting as aerial IEDs. The @allencontrol systems Bullfrog will reverse that, giving back control to US and allied ground forces.
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‘Never was a thug, just infatuated with guns.’ Setting up Eminem today
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Still too expensive. You need something to shoot down drones cheaply, that itself can be made en masse cheaply Something like this:
Ukraine's Air Force released footage showing one of its most advanced weapons in action – the German-supplied Skynex system. Ukraine reportedly is using it to intercept aerial targets in Russia's relentless air strikes, including Iranian Shahed drones. kyivindependent.com/new-skyn…
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Awwwwww Just hold still, little buddy (or fly as fast as you can, it doesn’t matter)
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Believe
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We're working on many different implementations of our counter-drone remote weapon station, including ones suitable for our littlest customers
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I don’t have to imagine it I am so proud of the team at @allencontrol systems whose extremely hard work will save countless lives We’re always looking for talented people so if you want to come shoot down drones with us - apply!
imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission 😭😭
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I'm so proud of the @allencontrol systems team; Drones are becoming a huge threat to warfighters and civilians alike, with military and civil infrastructure from runways to dwellings to power stations at risk — and our awesome people will lead the way in neutralizing them. We're hiring. If you're an ML/computer vision expert, mechanical, electrical, embedded systems engineer, or have experience in BD and capture in defense markets, we want to hear from you.
Today @allencontrol systems announces Bullfrog contracts with South Korea & UAE, and a co-production MOU with Romania, opening offices in Europe and Asia to support this work and more. Drones are a global issue and Bullfrog is proving itself the premier cost-effective solution.
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Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, MRAPs, Paladin artillery - we're going to make our armor safe again, we're going to make our artillery great again, greater than ever before:
Steven Simoni
Laying the groundwork. Make Tanks Great Again!
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poll below: do you want this shirt
imagine having a $125M successful exit and being set for life and then deciding that building ai powered guns is ur life mission 😭😭
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This is the kind of stuff we cover on @DroneUltimatum "The pace of advances [has forced] many to rethink the viability of weapons that cost millions of dollars on a battlefield where they can be destroyed by a drone that costs a few hundred dollars." - NYT
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Decoy drones won't work when their shootdown cost is reduced by a factor of 1000x, too It'll just be a waste of raw materials and machine time
The Russians are mass producing basic UAVs to act as decoys and saturate Ukrainian air defenses. The “Gerbera” drone is described as the little sister of the Shahed drone, and is cheaply made of plywood and foam.
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4x as many drones and missiles as this time last year 6000+ launched in three months in one conflict This is why we're building Bullfrog:
Allen Control Systems
Russia has launched four times more drones and missiles at Ukraine compared to last fall, — The Wall Street Journal Over 6,000 drones and missiles have been launched in the past three months—three times more than during the summer. One of the new tactics involves using cheap decoy drones to exhaust Ukraine’s air defense systems.
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Way too expensive This is how you kill a $1,000 dollar FPV drone - with $10 of 7.62 NATO
🔥 Don't want to waste a $100,000 missile to kill a $1,000 FPV #drone? Then @aselsan's #KORKUT VSHORAD system with ATOM™ air-burst munitions is exactly what you need! Learn more at wwwcdn.aselsan.com/api/file/… #Aselsan 🇹🇷
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POV: you’re a Chinese drone that’s about to have a really bad day
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Getting the attention of young new engineering grads with a lot of options is challenging but we'll try anything
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Rest in pieces
"what's your burn rate?" "eh roughly two seconds per drone"
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Proud to announce our Series A led by @craft_ventures joined by @InspiredCap & @rallyvc ACS is building automated guns to kill drones and win wars. Check us out in @FortuneMagazine (link below) Also, I’m on stage at @eMergeAmericas in Miami starting now
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Our ad is "dystopian"? Not on my watch. We're always striving to #DoBetter at @allencontrol
A very dystopian ad on the Metro today for Bullfrog. A new fully autonomous counter-drone weapon system by @allencontrol.
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Come work with us at @allencontrol systems the AI note taking app can wait
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend; Those with loaded guns and those who stay cool in the trailer.
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New Logo in the office. Had to finally take the @saronic logo down. Thanks Saronic for the nice space. Austin tech building up!
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Should we get Bullfrog enough training data to recognize armed cartel members? What do you think?
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a massive fireball just came out of the LIC natural gas plant -- CON EDISON - crazy @NYCMayor - caused a brief power outage in astoria. we are watching from our apartment.
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Giving away one free Bullfrog* to anyone who can correctly guess what this is used for
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Our autonomous guns can be installed on many types of autonomous vehicles. Here is the ACS Bullfrog anti-drone solution mounted on the Overland Ultra, a ground based platform. Btw—the gun has a very wide range of motion, so…
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Am impressive operation from Ukraine to take down Russian strategic bombers that never even left the runways Every military without sound CUAS is a military without an air force:
Steven Simoni
Replying to @JimmySecUK
Additional footage shows another FPV drone overflying the airfield; multiple Tupolev Tu-95 bombers are seen aflame.
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mfw u aren’t banned (yet)
Drones aren’t just for flying, they’re transforming how we measure. Draw around an object or area, see the numbers, and get results in seconds. Optimized workflows. Reliable data. A new standard in surveying. #djimatrice4t#surveying
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Yes, and from far away
Allen Control Systems
Replying to @StevenSimoni
thats awesome, can it track it on fast motion as well?
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POLL (below) t-shirt or laptop sticker?
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The ranges and speeds FPV drones navigate through when going in for the kill are too much for human shooters, but they're not too much for Bullfrog
Replying to @RALee85
Video of Ukrainian SSO FPV strikes on armored vehicles, including an MT-LB and a catastrophic kill on a BMP-3. 281/ t.me/ua_regteam/145
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There are going to be drones in GTA 6 ...
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Bullfrog replaces all kinds of expensive and unwieldy systems motorized troops and armor units rely on to take down drones. It fits on almost any type of vehicle.
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Get'em while they're in stock: if it flies it dies dot com
had to get a gameday fit dialed for last first day of classes @allencontrol @StevenSimoni
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Not good. Come work with me at @allencontrol systems so we can make this stuff much harder if not impossible to do.
BREAKING: A large swarm of Russian suicide drones is striking Odesa
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Defense tech Twitter -> next time u in dc lobbying drop by the @allencontrol office in Alexandria, VA. Right by DCA.
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War does change @BethesdaStudios
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Drones will change everything. Think about how much defense and law enforcement money went into helicopters, and with it the assumption of force superiority. If you can’t reliably shoot incoming drones, you lose all of that value.
The drug mafia in Colombia shot down a police helicopter using an FPV drone. Twelve police officers were killed. The use of UAVs by militants was confirmed by the governor of the Antioquia department, Andres Julian. Colombian mercenaries are trained to operate drones within the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after which they return to their drug cartels and apply the acquired experience against law enforcement. This was previously reported by the specialized publication Intelligence Online citing a report from Mexican military intelligence.
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the Steam deck is military grade hardware:
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Come work with us to kill drones Allen Control Systems dot com
Swap out, reload, and back to work.
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Had a great conversation w/ @PatRMorris (Anduril chief of CUAS) Stay tuned everybody...
Replying to @StevenSimoni
As the Anduril person responsible for @PalmerLuckey’s Bolt, I accept this challenge.
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We refurbish our downed drones to use them again, and again, and again
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What will YOUR answer be??
Don't be forced to explain to your kids you optimized CRM integrations instead of optimizing this
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You could work on b2b saas or you could work on this
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New "merch" IYKYK 🤫 🤫
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I think it's pretty cool!
A very dystopian ad on the Metro today for Bullfrog. A new fully autonomous counter-drone weapon system by @allencontrol.
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Austin, TX September 18th Come join @allencontrol systems engineering for drinks and food!
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We've got just the thing, Mr. President
Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT Donald Trump Truth Social 05:37 PM EST 12/13/24 @realDonaldTrump
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We're hiring drop us a line at @allencontrol systems dot com
Drones are a problem, no doubt. But that weapon system still costs thousands of dollars per fire. @allencontrol systems is gonna defeat them at an operational cost less than a meal deal at Jimmy John's:
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