Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt has been quietly plotting a new defense tech effort: a stealth military drone project, four sources with knowledge of the effort told Forbes. The project’s existence has not been previously reported and it has yet to publicly launch.

The clandestine project intends to provide an American alternative to Chinese drones, and will develop unmanned aircraft systems specifically to be used on the battlefield, two of the sources said. Three of the sources familiar with Schmidt’s engagements said the work is influenced by his recent visits to Ukraine, where the billionaire has made inroads with government officials and military leaders over the past year. Two of these individuals added that Sebastian Thrun, a cofounder of Google’s moonshot lab, is involved with the effort.

Forbes was unable to determine who other than Thrun is helping with the secretive project, when it commenced and whether Schmidt is its sole backer. According to two sources, only a handful of people are working on the project, which Schmidt has largely managed to keep quiet due to geopolitical sensitivities. It’s unclear whether a company has even been incorporated. Schmidt and Thrun declined to comment.

Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahemerson/2024/01/09/ex-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-is-working-on-a-secret-military-drone-project/?sh=4701ad266c6b

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