Colorado State’s Mission - Turning Research Into Real Solutions

In this episode of Micro Journeys Inside Access, host Daniel Marrujo catches up with Odaro Huckstep, Director of Defense Engagement at Colorado State University (CSU), to talk about the university's engagement at African Lion 2026. Odaro explains how CSU is working to bridge academic research with fielded military work using the university's drone research center. He walks us through the university's Rapid Prototyping Lab and shares how the facility and drone center are already supporting SETAF-AF's interests. The conversation also digs into the "Valley of Death," and the challenge of getting new systems fielded. What used to be a stall point has shifted with many of the roadblocks cleared. CSU initiatives are at the forefront of that shift. By embedding researchers directly in field exercises like African Lion, it's moving technology from concept to warfighter faster than ever before. What You'll Discover in This Episode:[00:43] How Odaro and the defense engagement department at Colorado State University are aligning campus research with national security priorities.[01:53] Odaro introduces Chris Robertson and John Mizia and explains how together they’re bringing drone center and Rapid Prototyping Lab expertise to CTAF. [05:14] How Colorado State is working toward rapid prototyping capability that could reach the tactical edge via C-130.[10:07] The drone application ranges and how the CSU research team is harnessing the technology for either search and rescue or combat missions, [12:11] Programs like SBIR, STTR, STRATFI, and TACFI are shortening the "Valley of Death" challenge by bridging research funding and fielded technology.[19:53] The importance of the CSU team field testing in Morocco at African Lion.Let’s ConnectDaniel MarrujoLearn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.