Securing theDrones Over D.C. | Christopher Hewlett

In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with Christopher Hewlett—retired Navy Commander and Director of Project ULTRA—to explore how the Department of Defense is accelerating the real-world integration of drones into the national airspace.

This isn’t theoretical. Project ULTRA is moving beyond simulations into repeatable, operational BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) missions—flying real cargo, solving real airspace challenges, and building the data infrastructure needed for scalable drone operations.

Chris shares how the military is taking a fundamentally different approach than industry—prioritizing safety cases over business cases—and why that mindset may be the key to unlocking large-scale drone adoption. From airspace interoperability and traffic management to humanitarian missions and future logistics networks, this conversation reveals what it will actually take to integrate thousands of drones safely into shared skies.

If you want to understand where drone operations are really headed—and what’s holding them back—this episode is essential listening.

Episode Highlights

How Project ULTRA transitioned from simulation to real-world drone operations

Why the Department of Defense is leading UAS integration—not commercial players

The critical role of data, interoperability, and airspace management systems

Real BVLOS missions: 60 nautical miles, live payload delivery, repeatable operations

The shift from “business case” to “safety case” as the driver of adoption

Why current “detect and avoid” models may not scale

The future of drone logistics, disaster response, and military operations