Inside Anduril HQ: Trae Stephens on Anduril’s Origin, Peter Thiel, & Palantir DNA

The defense tech wave and the future of American manufacturing are examined through a conversation with Trae Stephens of Anduril. Stephens reflects on Anduril's early days as a Silicon Valley "pariah" and its current position as a leading defense innovator. He emphasizes Anduril's focus on software-defined, hardware-enabled solutions across multiple defense domains, competing with traditional defense companies by leveraging shared autonomy components. Stephens also discusses the importance of reindustrialization in the U.S., highlighting Anduril's new Arsenal One factory in Ohio, aimed at scaling production of autonomous fighter planes. Drawing on lessons from Peter Thiel, he stresses the need for concentrated venture investments and pursuing novel, impactful ideas.