Retired Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the nation’s former highest-ranking military officer, joined drone technology company Powerus as senior adviser and executive-in-residence, according to an announcement on March 24, 2026, bringing his defense expertise to a firm backed by President Trump’s two eldest sons.
Brown, who was fired by Trump in February 2025 after serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will advise Powerus on defense strategy, autonomous systems deployment, and national security partnerships. The Florida-based company is an AI-enabled autonomous drone manufacturer co-founded by former U.S. Army special operations veterans and is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
In a statement, Brown emphasized the urgency of advancing autonomous systems. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how the pace of technological change determines who leads and who falls behind,” he said. “The companies that will define the future of American defense are the ones building real capability right now, not waiting for permission. Powerus is doing exactly that.”
Pentagon Success and Defense Contracts
Powerus announced its first-ever Pentagon contract on April 30, 2026, to supply interceptor drones to the Department of Defense following a successful demonstration at a facility in Arizona. The deal marked a significant win for the Trump-backed firm as it competes for a share of the Pentagon’s $1.1 billion funding initiative to build up U.S. manufacturing capacity for armed drones.
Brett Velicovich, Powerus co-founder and former special operations intelligence analyst, praised Brown’s addition to the team. “His experience means that the operational realities of the battlefield and the strategic vision of U.S. defense leadership are now embedded in everything we build,” Velicovich said in a statement.
Brown’s move to the private sector follows his abrupt removal as the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the firing at the time, arguing on Fox News that Brown was “not the right man for the moment.” Brown had served in the top military role since October 2023 and was expected to complete a four-year term before his dismissal.
The appointment also comes as Powerus completed a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a golf course operator, with Powerus remaining the surviving entity. The company has drawn scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest given the Trump family’s investment in a defense contractor competing for government contracts during the Trump administration.
Sources
- Bloomberg — Brown’s role as senior adviser and executive-in-residence at Powerus, his advisory responsibilities on defense strategy and autonomous systems
- The Hill — Brown’s joining Powerus on March 24, 2026, his prior firing in February 2025, company details and Velicovich’s statement
- House Oversight Democrats — Powerus’s first Pentagon contract announcement on April 30, 2026
- AP News — Pentagon’s $1.1 billion funding for U.S. drone manufacturing base
