Creative Defense Foundation

The Creative Defense Foundation (CDF) is dedicated to harnessing entrepreneurial innovators for defense innovation.

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

A look inside Creative Disruptors in the Desert 2026, featuring the Warfighting Innovation Summit.

Leaders across government, industry, and the innovation ecosystem came together with a shared focus: delivering capability at speed. #DisruptorsInTheDesert

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

Launching the Creative Disruptors Podcast! 

In Episode 1, Rich Carroll talks with Paul Lemmo of @LockheedMartin on the business models reshaping defense — cost-plus vs. fixed-price, R&D funding, and how primes are scaling autonomy with non-traditional partners.

More episodes coming with @Creative_Def partners and innovators sharpening the U.S. competitive edge.

YouTube: https://t.co/OVCjWX66TU

Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/ql54V4N8Zg

Spotify: https://t.co/MdOJdr4KSJ

#defense #innovation #disruptors

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

SAVE THE DATE: #DisruptorsByTheLakes is back September 18-19, 2026, in St. Paul. More information + registration coming soon!

[Assistant Secretary of War Mike Dodd @ASWCTDoddFather]

Incredible time speaking at Creative Disruptors in the Desert last week! Great to discuss how we’re scaling critical tech for national security.

Innovation isn't just about tech; it's about the speed & partnerships that define our edge. Let’s keep disrupting!

[CX2 @CX2_Industries]

This weekend we were selected to demo our RF-seeking FPV payload, Vadris, at Disruptors in the Desert in Palm Springs, CA. Humbled to stand alongside the companies redefining modern warfare.

As the Creative Defense Foundation highlighted with the tech selected, the character of war is changing. Drone warfare is being decided in the RF spectrum, and warfighters need tools that let them find, fix, and finish targets at their point of origin. That's what Vadris does.

We were excited to showcase these capabilities to members of Congress, senior Department of Defense officials, industry leaders, and more here in the desert, highlighting the problems we're solving.

[Sea Machines Robotics @SeaMachines]

Every year, the Creative Defense Foundation convenes Creative Disruptors in the Desert.

Sea Machines was selected to execute a live maritime autonomy vignette as part of this year’s multi-domain scenario.

Read the full story: https://t.co/SXgvqjOu7e

[Michael Ellis @DDCIAEllis]

Thank you to "Creative Disruptors in the Desert" for giving me the opportunity to share how @CIA is using advanced tech and partnering with the private sector to advance our mission. CIA is open for business!

[AV @aerovironment]

Disruption is in our DNA.

At the @Creative_Def #DisruptorsintheDesert last weekend, Jeff Rodrian, AV’s 'Chief Disruption Officer', joined distinguished @USArmy leaders to discuss how our partnership can ensure our soldiers always have the technological edge and battlefield advantage. We take our responsibility seriously to invest our resources to bring new capabilities to the warfighter, with speed and scale, partnering with soldiers in the field to experiment, innovate, and iterate in real time.

Maintaining the edge isn’t optional. It’s imperative.

[Firestorm @Firestorm_Labs]

CEO @DanMagy giving Chairman Ken Calvert a tour at Creative Disruptors in the Desert.

[hiddenlevel @hiddenlevelinc]

Hidden Level was proud to sponsor and participate in Creative Disruptors in the Desert this weekend, alongside the builders advancing the future of national security.

Defense technology and acquisition reform are evolving rapidly. Events like this bring together leaders from across policy, defense, industry, and the innovation ecosystem to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and move forward together toward shared goals.

Thank you to the Creative Defense Foundation and everyone who made the weekend possible. We’re excited to keep building alongside this community.

[Rep. Ken Calvert @KenCalvert]

I joined Trump admin national security officials, defense innovators, & policy makers in Coachella Valley over the past two days to talk about how we continue to leverage America’s technological advantage into an edge on the battlefield. Thank you @Creative_Def for organizing!

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

Thank you to every sponsor, exhibitor, and speaker who made #DisruptorsInTheDesert 2026 our most disruptive event yet! America's security is dependent on the kind of groundbreaking innovation we saw this weekend -- and we're just getting started.

Stay tuned for more info on this year's #DisruptorsByTheLakes.

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

Dave Alexander, President of @GenAtomics_ASI, on being mission-driven: A lot of people want to work in the field of uncrewed aircraft. What sets us apart is our bigger purpose. It keeps us all coming back to work because we're actually making a difference. #DisruptorsInTheDesert

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

Bernie Gauf, CEO of IDT: I commend the leadership of the RCO and ONR. They’ve been very flexible and clear about their needs and priorities. From an industry perspective, that’s a huge help: being clear on what’s needed and when. #DisruptorsInTheDesert

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

disRUFFtors in the desert? 🤖🐶 #DisruptorsInTheDesert #CreativeDisruptors

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

2nd and final day of #DisruptorsInTheDesert! 🚀#CreativeDisruptors

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

...and that's a wrap on our first Warfighting Innovation Summit! 🎖️ Thanks to everyone who made these unique discussions possible. Tune in again tomorrow for the final day of #DisruptorsInTheDesert.

[Creative Defense Foundation @Creative_Def]

Susanne Hake, EVP and GM for U.S. Government Business @vantortech: "You don’t have to create everything from scratch. There are so many companies here that do great work. Partner with them." #DisruptorsInTheDesert #CreativeDisruptors

[General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) @GenAtomics_ASI]

GA-ASI is with @Creative_Def this weekend for their Creative Disruptors in the Desert Conference and first-ever Warfighting Innovation Summit. Our #YFQ42A collaborative combat aircraft is on display as we engage with government and industry leaders on emerging technology and the future of warfighting.
https://t.co/TjqmL66U3W

#UCAV #UAS