Eric Schmidt
Former Google CEO and founder of the defense startup that became Perennial Autonomy, maker of the Merops counter-drone interceptor.
Per src-dronexl-perennial-interceptor-doctrine-2026-05, Schmidt launched the venture quietly as White Stork in 2023 — after 2022 meetings with Ukrainian officials — to build a low-cost interceptor for Ukrainian crews. It was renamed Project Eagle in February 2024 and Perennial Autonomy in 2026. Schmidt recruited former Pentagon innovation chief Will Roper plus Apple and SpaceX engineers.