From Fear of Flying to Founding a Drone Defense Startup
For someone who started flying to overcome a fear of flying, Rick Whittaker has taken an unconventional path to becoming one of the most mission-driven founders in drone defense. “I’m a pilot, but I only got my license because I was afraid of flying,” Rick shared. “During my piloting career, I had 300 failures… I would’ve been the guy on the front page, ‘man gets hit by drone in plane.’ So, it’s better to solve this problem.”
That problem—unchecked, low-cost drone threats—has become an urgent global issue.
Solving the $3,000 Drone with a $1 Million Missile Problem
Drone warfare has radically changed the face of conflict. Low-cost, widely available drones are increasingly being used in warfare and urban threats—often undetected and hard to neutralize.
Whittaker and his team at AirShare are tackling the issue with a deceptively simple question: Why spend $1 million to take down a $3,000 drone?
Their solution: a $100 non-lethal missile built from commercial off-the-shelf parts—a “friendly missile,” as Rick calls it. “It uses a broad area effect countermeasure, and because it’s low-cost and simple, we can produce hundreds of them a week versus one or two using conventional approaches,” he explained.
The Bigger Vision: Saving Lives on the Ground and in the Air
Focused initially on airport safety, AirShare’s mission quickly expanded to military and humanitarian contexts. “What started as a way to save lives at airports has become a way to save lives on the battlefield, and more broadly,” Whittaker said. “That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me running all day.”
Adversaries are using cheap drones to drain expensive resources and create disproportionate damage. “They’re bleeding out their adversaries’ expensive weapons and then using that gap to strike with force. That can’t be sustained,” Whittaker emphasized.
AirShare’s technology offers a viable, scalable alternative that could shift how nations and organizations defend against low-cost drone threats.
Why MassChallenge? A Mission-Aligned, Impact-Driven Partner
AirShare’s participation in the MassChallenge + Air Force Labs program was a turning point.
“It takes a community to raise a child. And it takes a community to raise a startup,” Whittaker reflected. “MassChallenge brought not just a network, but the right advisors and the right connections.”
That support helped the startup navigate the complexities of dual-use technology development, creating solutions for both civilian and defense markets. “Selling to the DoD is complex on both sides. The advisors MassChallenge brought in really helped us bridge that gap,” he said.
From refining pitches to identifying key decision-makers in the Air Force, the experience accelerated AirShare’s trajectory. “You need a technical point of contact, a program executive officer. MassChallenge helped us understand what all these roles mean and how to connect with the right people.”
What’s Next for AirShare?
With growing demand and increased visibility, AirShare is scaling both its product capabilities and impact potential. The team is currently expanding production and exploring additional use cases across urban defense, military support, and infrastructure protection.
And while the technology is impressive, it’s the human element that keeps Rick grounded. “I can’t emphasize enough; having the right people with the right attitude makes all the difference,” he said. “MassChallenge surrounded us with people who want founders to succeed.”