News

Justin Call is the co-founder and CEO of Modovolo, a local startup that is launching the Lift, a modular drone platform that can integrate a wide array of specialized payloads, with long flight time, and at a price orders of magnitude less than anything on the market.

We at Modovolo have a certain admiration for headlines that go big on hyperbole. Mostly because we like to click them.

There is a bit of a problem, though. That hyperbole tends to be a bit overblown and readers tend to roll their eyes.

But that is not the case when it comes to headlines like: “The U.S. Army Sounds the Alarm” and “US Adversaries Gain Competitive Edge” and “Modern Warfare Changing Faster than US Defense Systems Can Keep Up.”

We take those kinds of headlines seriously. Because we live in Upstate New York — and Upstate New York is not about hyperbole.

Well, not all the time.

You may remember reading on syracuse.com, “Why Syracuse, Upstate NY are the Tomorrow Land of the new drone universe.” You are now thinking: “Wow, these guys are crushing the hyperbole. And they have gotten lazy and lame with their titles.”

It’s a fair point. But we have a long history of shamelessly promoting Upstate NY with even more over-the-top language and even lazier and lamer titles, such as the article we published in UAV Commercial News titled, “Why Upstate NY is the Center of the Drone Universe.”

So, when Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll recently went on a diatribe at the annual conference of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA, an influential nonprofit advocating for soldiers) about how our defense systems are broken, we naturally started thinking about how Upstate New York has already been “unbreaking” those defense systems. And that’s not hyperbole.

In his diatribe, Driscoll didn’t pull any punches.

“Since the end of the Cold War, our system’s priorities shifted from combat effectiveness to jobs and profits. And I’ll just be blunt here: The definition of success became taking no risks, doing absolutely nothing, and just not getting fired,” he said.

Yes, he said that. And much more. But in summary, Driscoll’s message is this: Our military is no longer as awesome as it once was.

The reason has nothing to do with our warfighters. It’s just that for many decades now, we have not had an adversary that forced us to innovate. We have been so dominant for so long.

But now that has changed, as explained by Driscoll: “Technology is rapidly and fundamentally changing our world. Our adversaries are harnessing it to change the very nature of warfare. We must change or become obsolete.”

If you are Modovolo and other companies working on uncrewed aerial systems, this is likely filling you with anxiety. China has been dramatically ramping up its military capabilities and is now promising to retake Taiwan in 2027.

That’s a problem that the world has yet to really acknowledge. Because if Taiwan’s computer chips and other electronics stop shipping, economies will stall. Badly. Including our own.

And we’re not as ready as we should be for that fight with China.

But there’s hope. And that hope is located in Upstate New York, the “Tomorrow Land” of defense technology.

What a lot of folks don’t see is that Upstate New York has an insane amount of expertise in defense technology, ranging from large multi-nationals like Saab Sensis; to local champions like Assured Information Security (AIS) and ANDRO; to a new start-up ecosystem of companies coming out of the GENIUS NY program.

And that expertise means that Upstate New York is ahead of the curve and ready to meet the challenge.

Charles Green, co-founder and CEO of AIS, based in Rome, explains: “We’re excited about Secretary Driscoll’s pivot because we at AIS have been doing exactly what he is pushing for decades: developing cutting-edge technologies that not only outpaces our adversaries but are also far less expensive.”

The “high-tech but a lower cost” mantra is a common theme.

Andy Drozd, founder and CEO of ANDRO, also based in Rome, explains: “One of the many benefits of purposefully being a smaller defense company is that we have always asked this question: How do we develop a cutting-edge RF technologies that will fundamentally improve the capabilities of the warfighter but at the same time is far less expensive?”

And the growth and importance of defense technology in the region is only getting started.

That’s because our very own GENIUS NY, the world’s largest drone business accelerator and competition, makes defense technology a key priority.

Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, explains, “We look for companies that have dual-use technologies that work in the commercial and defense space. That’s now an important mandate from Secretary Driscoll to use what’s called ‘COTS,’ commercial off-the-shelf technology, to lower costs and increase capabilities at the same time.”

ResilienX and SkyfireAI are two such GENIUS NY companies.

Andrew Carter, co-founder and CEO of ResilienX, explains, “We’ve built our tech stack on the dual-use principles of safety and security, ensuring that commercial and military drone operations achieve positive mission outcomes. Commercially, we focus on safety assurance while in defense we focus the same technology on mission assurance.”

SkyfireAI represents the kind of dual-use innovation emerging from Upstate New York.

Don Mathis, co-founder and CEO of SkyfireAI, explains: “Our AI-driven platform integrates drone and sensor ecosystems into a single intelligent network capable of multi-ship coordination, data fusion and real-time decision support. By combining commercial agility with defense-grade reliability, we’re proving that American innovation can deliver autonomy that’s mission-ready today — and scalable for the challenges ahead.”

In the end, when the nation’s defense system needs a reboot, the real engine of change might be right in our backyard. From Rome to Syracuse to the Finger Lakes, Upstate New York isn’t just talking about innovation — it’s building it.

Read the full story here: Tomorrow Land, Part 2: How Upstate NY companies are ‘unbreaking’ US defenses (Guest Opinion by Justin Call) – syracuse.com

WASHINGTON – The National Spectrum Consortium, in partnership with the Department of War (DoW), today announces the selection of Peraton Labs as the first project awardee under the Advanced Spectrum Coexistence (ASC) Demonstration program, previously known as Advanced Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Demonstration (ADSSD).

For this effort, Peraton Labs has partnered with several innovative companies and universities including ANDRO Computational Solutions, Nexcepta, Inc., Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC), and the University of Kansas. Funds to implement the project, which has a total value of just over $10 million, will be awarded through NSC’s prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA).

The ASC Demonstration was created by the DoW to validate and showcase spectrum sharing solutions with the intent to strengthen both national security and economic competitiveness. For the first time, the White House has listed spectrum sharing as a critical and emerging technology among its R&D budgetary priorities, stating under the category of Advanced Communications Networks that research efforts should focus on “AI techniques optimized for wireless systems, novel approaches to spectrum sharing, and application of AI to communications and cybersecurity, toward the goal of secure and trusted applications.”

The Peraton Labs award represents an important milestone for spectrum sharing development and will help to drive greater spectrum resilience for US interests across both the federal and commercial sectors.

“Congratulations to Peraton Labs and their partners on the momentous award,” said Joe Kochan, CEO of NSC. “In combination with future dynamic spectrum sharing demonstration projects enabled through ASC, this represents a collaborative effort between government and industry that will advance research, create investment incentives, and build trust among stakeholders who rely on wireless connectivity.”

About the National Spectrum Consortium

The NSC’s mission is to build bridges between key stakeholder groups – government and industry; industry stalwarts and startups; and civilian and military suppliers and users – to deliver two essential outcomes: breakthroughs in spectrum- and spectrum-using capabilities; and policy and regulatory insights to enhance, inform and sustain U.S. technical leadership. For more information, visit spectrumconsortium.org

Read More:

National Spectrum Consortium

ROME — ANDRO Computational Solutions in Rome has been awarded two utility patents in wireless cyber, command/control and communications networking from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to company officials. 

The first patent is for Radio Frequency Fingerprinting Using Attentional Machine Learning, which applies artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance identification techniques associated with radio frequency transmissions. The device uses “attentional-AI” to predict the type of electronic source, which officials said can isolate anomalies or determine potential cyber threats. 

The second patent is for Authentication of Device In Network Using Cryptographic Certificate, which is applicable to networks of interconnected devices across a geographical area, to enhance data collection and environmental awareness. The patented technology can be used with interconnected devices operating in physically unprotected environments that may pose a higher risk of security attacks such as counterfeiting, communication channel “sniffing,” eavesdropping, identity spoofing, and even credential theft, officials said. 

According to ANDRO president, Andrew Drozd, the concept development for the two patents was led by Dr. Anu Jagannath and Dr. Jithin Jagannath, co-directors of ANDRO’s Marconi-Rosenblatt AI Innovation Lab, along with Drozd himself. 

“The MR AI Lab team excels in harnessing the potential of even the smallest software-defined radios, simultaneously extracting diverse signal parameters for intelligent multidimensional analysis and understanding,” said Jagannath, noting that the lab has several additional inventions in the patent pipeline. 

In the News:

ANDRO of Rome awarded two new patents in cybersecurity | News | romesentinel.com

ANDRO wins patents in cyber/electromagnetics technologies – Central New York Business Journal

ANDRO Computational Solutions is proud to celebrate our Founder and CEO, Dr. Andrew “Andy” Drozd, who was recognized last night by the Oneida County History Center as a 2025 Hall of Fame Living Legend! 

The Historical Hall of Fame and Living Legends Awards Celebration took place at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica, where Dr. Drozd joined other distinguished honorees in being recognized for their extraordinary contributions to our region’s history and progress.

With a career rooted in innovation, integrity, and impact, Dr. Drozd has dedicated his life to advancing secure communications, artificial intelligence, and engineering excellence. From his early days at the Rome Air Development Center and General Electric to founding ANDRO Computational Solutions in 1994, he has continuously pushed the boundaries of technology and discovery — earning more than 20 patents and influencing international standards through his leadership in the IEEE.

Beyond his technical achievements, Andy’s commitment to community and education stands as a hallmark of his leadership. As co-founder of the Project Fibonacci® Foundation, he has helped inspire and empower future generations through STEAM learning and innovation.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Andy Drozd on this well-deserved recognition as a 2025 Living Legend — a true testament to his vision, creativity, and dedication to both technology and humanity. 

In the News:

https://cnybac.com/news/cnybac-client-andro-computational-solutions-proudly-announces-dr-andy-drozd-receiving-living-legend-award

https://www.facebook.com/OneidaCountyHistory/posts/2025-living-legend-dr-andrew-drozd-romeandrew-l-drozd-phd-known-as-andy-is-an-in/1364852435651022/

Tickets on Sale for Historical Hall of Fame Celebration!

https://www.romesentinel.com/entertainment-life/charity-and-non-profit/history-center-to-honor-five-new-living-legends/article_1ee7da8e-4edd-4981-a021-c933eacfbe02.html

https://www.wktv.com/news/history/heres-whos-joining-oneida-county-history-centers-hall-of-fame-in-2025/article_2dc4ae1d-e3ee-494b-9010-b98079a5cf20.html

https://www.romesentinel.com/historical-hall-of-fame-and-living-legends-class-of-2025/article_bb657e1d-9888-4023-a40a-0914ec46fd2b.html

Companies from Rome and Binghamton are among 25 New York–based businesses awarded a total of more than $3 million in grants through the third round of the innovation matching grants program from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

The initiative, launched in May 2024, is part of NYSTAR’s ongoing effort to support the growth of small businesses and the development of cutting-edge technologies in New York State, ESD said in its Wednesday announcement. NYSTAR has received more than 130 applications since the program’s inception, awarding 60 businesses a nearly $7.8 million to-date.

“Innovation is happening in every corner of New York State,” Hope Knight, president, CEO & commissioner said in the announcement. “By providing additional funds to these homegrown projects in high-growth industries, we’re accelerating the kind of technological and economic progress that will benefit all New Yorkers.”

The third-round awardees represent several strategic technology areas, including additive/manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, energy storage/battery technologies, and life sciences/biotechnology. Companies that received funding from the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were eligible for NYSTAR matching grants up to $200,000.

The Innovation Matching Grants program ensures that SBIR- and STTR-supported projects in New York State receive additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance. Awards are conditioned on the successful SBIR/STTR federal award and negotiation and execution of a grant-disbursement agreement.

The grant award recipients include the following Upstate companies, along with 12 from New York City, 3 from the Capital Region, 2 from Long Island, and 2 from Western New York.

ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC of Rome (Mohawk Valley)

Anova Biomedical, Inc., which is listed on the website of Cornell University’s Center for Life Science Ventures (Southern Tier)

BiRed Imaging, Inc. (Finger Lakes)

KLAW Industries, which is located in the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator at 120 Hawley St. in Binghamton (Southern Tier)

Mission Power is a Potsdam company with a website that describes the firm as focusing on “Revolutionizing electronics to make clean power more reliable efficient and profitable.” (North Country)

Natrion, Inc., which has locations in the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator in Binghamton and in Champaign, Illinois (Southern Tier)

Guest Opinion by Justin Call – Special Article Syracuse.com

Justin Call is the CEO of Modovolo, an Oneida County startup that is launching the Lift, an endlessly configurable modular drone platform of Lift Pods and Utility Pods that are clicked together like Legos to build the right drone for every application, with hours of flight time, and at a price orders of magnitude less than anything on the market. Modovolo is a finalist in the GeniusNY competition.

We at Modovolo have shamelessly promoted Syracuse and Upstate New York in a November 2024 article entitled, “Why Upstate NY is the center of the drone universe.”

Here, then, is the long-awaited sequel. It’s “The Empire Strikes Back” to “A New Hope,” “The Temple of Doom” to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Top Gun II” to “Top Gun.”

And true to form, this article further shamelessly promotes our beloved city, but now Syracuse and Upstate New York are “Tomorrow Land” in the “new” drone universe.

Why the “new” drone universe? Well, this new drone universe’s creation is all about new proposed regulations released on Aug. 5, 2025, by the Federal Aviation Administration.

I admit that regulations are not the typical foundation of an exciting narrative. But bear with me. This is going somewhere.

A crowded airspace

The FAA has been working on regulations to integrate drones into the national airspace for years. Because the U.S. has the busiest and most complex airspace system in the world, this is not an easy task.

But you ask, why do we even need to integrate drones into the national airspace? Well, if all drones ever did were to take pictures of your house or perform roof inspections, you’re right. There’s no need.

But these new drone regulations aren’t about what drones are already doing today. They are all about what drones should be doing tomorrow. In Tomorrow Land.

And Tomorrow Land looks like a very cool place (not just at Disney).

The problem with Today Land

Take delivery logistics as an example. In Today Land, it means cargo vans for everything. But they’re big, add to traffic, and are mostly all diesel powered. That’s a lot of wasted energy and a lot of pollution.

The thing is, the vast majority of items delivered weigh less than 5 pounds — by some estimates, up to 86% of products that Amazon delivers, and most deliveries are 3 to 5 miles from distribution centers. And it just so happens that an all-electric drone can autonomously bring a 5-pound payload several miles.

In Tomorrow Land, drone-powered delivery systems will be far cheaper, far less polluting, and far faster than what we have in Today Land.

There are, however, a couple of problems.

First, most drones are loud. Obnoxiously loud. And annoying. Their “buzzing” is in the same frequency range as mosquitoes.

Second, getting a permit from the FAA for drone-powered deliveries has been, generally speaking, a very time-consuming, custom process with only a very small chance that the FAA would actually agree to allow it.

This way to Tomorrow Land

So how do we get to Tomorrow Land?

First, the new proposed FAA regulations will require noise limitations on drones. Second, they set a slew of standards and parameters. And, as long as those standards and parameters are met, then a permit happens. Fast and cheap.

And that means it’s possible for drone delivery companies to get a permit to operate their service.

The cool thing is that Syracuse is already in Tomorrow Land. Or, better put, Syracuse is the general contractor for Tomorrow Land.

You see, in order for those new proposed FAA regulations to work, there needs to be technology infrastructure.

There needs to be the ability to “detect and avoid” other flying objects (like airplanes). There needs to be the ability to create flight plans on defined routes. There needs to be the ability to test a drone to make sure it is safe.

And we’ve done all of this, Syracuse! We’ve already built that technology infrastructure.

The Powerhouse: It’s not just startups leading this, either. We have a powerhouse of local, established technology companies, who already play a critical role in creating Tomorrow Land — AIS, ANDRO, SRC, Saab-Sensis and many others.

“It’s all about figuring out how to manage airspace at scale, and AIS has critical technologies for detecting and understanding electronic signals that make this possible,” said Charles Green, CEO and founder of AIS.

“We have some of the most advanced drone autonomy technologies in the market today. In order for drone delivery and other long-range drone capabilities to happen, a drone needs to be able to fly autonomously and safely even when communications have been lost with the flight controller,” explained Andy Drozd, CEO and founder of ANDRO.

We’re writing the rules

The FAA knows that we have amazing expertise and that we are key thought leaders. So not only is Syracuse the general contractor, but we’ve been the author, too. That’s right: Your neighbors are the ones writing those new proposed FAA regulations.

Syracuse and Upstate NY aren’t just participants in the drone revolution. With world-class infrastructure, pioneering companies and visionary leadership, Tomorrow Land has a new address — and it’s here.

Read the full story here: Why Syracuse, Upstate NY are the Tomorrow Land of the new drone universe (Guest Opinion by Justin Call) – syracuse.com