Feb 12, 2025 - Technology

BlueHalo CEO: Don't discount the economic "subplot" of national security

Colin Demarest

Jonathan Moneymaker, a man, inside a well-lit office. Decorations, including a football helmet and bobblehead, are seen in the background. — Jonathan Moneymaker, in his office in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington. Photo: Colin Demarest/Axios

The economic nuances of national security are too often neglected, according to Jonathan Moneymaker, the chief executive at defense contractor BlueHalo.

"It's easy to focus on military and the traditional aspects of it, but I think there's a subplot of economic power that we don't pay quite enough attention to," he told Axios in an interview.

Why he matters: BlueHalo works on everything from laser weapons to space communications. Its arms are used across the globe. And AeroVironment, maker of the Switchblade drone, is buying it for billions.

Q: When you hear "future of defense," what comes to mind?

A: The future of defense is going to be autonomous, and hopefully that means preservation of life.

Q: When will wars be waged solely by robots?

A: I don't think they'll ever be waged by robots; man will always wage war.

I do think now they're being fought robotically, and I think that will continue.

Q: What's the biggest challenge the defense industry faces at the moment? What can be done to alleviate it?

A: I think it's budgetary. I think it's prioritization. There's a lot to be done.

We've got to stop doing things that aren't working.

Q: What region of the world should we be watching? Why?

A: China. It's probably been said before. But I think when leaders make bold statements — like China has — you should listen.

Q: What's your secret to a successful overnight flight?

A: There are no time zones. You have to live in the moment. You land. It's 7am? It doesn't matter where you came from.

Q: What's a piece of gear or tech you can't go without?

A: I have this phenomenal charger that I got from Amazon.

It was like $39, and it has all the cords built into it. It's amazing.

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BlueHalo CEO: Don't discount the economic "subplot" of national security

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