From the Cockpit to the Cutting Edge: Two Former Night Stalkers Are Redefining Defense Innovation

When former 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) aviators Joshua Griffin and Brett Jackson stand side by side, it’s more than a reunion. It’s a continuation of a mission that began years ago at Fort Campbell, inside one of the Army’s most elite aviation units — “Darkhorse” Company.

Today, these two veterans have joined forces once again — not in the cockpit, but in the command center of one of America’s most innovative veteran-led defense startups: Tactical Labs.

Innovation Forged by Experience

As founder and CEO, Joshua Griffin brings more than 20 years of service spanning Infantry, Electronic Warfare, and Army Aviation. His combat experience directly shaped Tactical Labs’ core mission: to create innovation designed by those who’ve lived it.

That mission led to the creation of NS Fiber™, a groundbreaking composite built from basalt, hemp, and graphene. The result is a material that is lighter, stronger, and 25% more cost-effective than traditional carbon fiber — while offering enhanced sustainability and structural resilience for defense and aerospace applications.

“Every ounce saved and every second gained can be the difference between life and loss,” said Griffin. “Our goal was to build something that delivers measurable advantages for the people who carry the mission — the warfighters.”

From Command to Collaboration

LTC (Ret.) Brett Jackson, now co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Tactical Labs, brings decades of operational leadership from his time as both Company Commander and later Battalion Commander in the 160th SOAR.

It was under Jackson’s command that a young Joshua Griffin first served — a connection that would later become the foundation for Tactical Labs’ leadership dynamic.

“Josh and I have seen the real-world consequences when technology fails in the field,” said Jackson. “We built Tactical Labs to ensure the next generation of innovation comes from those who understand the stakes firsthand.”

NS Fiber™ — Changing the Game

NS Fiber™ is already being recognized across defense and advanced manufacturing sectors as a next-generation composite with broad dual-use applications — from unmanned systems and aerospace structures to armor plating and field-ready infrastructure.

Its unique blend of basalt, hemp, and graphene provides not only superior performance but also significant cost and weight reductions, creating new opportunities for both DoD adoption and commercial scaling.

A Brotherhood Building the Future

What began in the shadows of Fort Campbell’s hangars has evolved into a partnership focused on national impact. Griffin and Jackson’s journey reflects a broader truth: veterans aren’t just the end users of defense innovation — they are the creators of its future.

Through Tactical Labs, the two former Night Stalkers are proving that combat-tested leadership and modern engineering make a powerful combination for America’s next era of defense and materials technology.

“Only those who’ve been there truly understand what’s needed next.” — Joshua Griffin, Founder & CEO, Tactical Labs

About Tactical Labs

Tactical Labs is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in advanced materials, structural composites, and defense manufacturing. Its flagship material, NS Fiber™, represents a new class of sustainable composite technology engineered to outperform carbon fiber across multiple industries. The company partners with leading research institutions including Baylor University, the University of Colorado RECUV, and the University of Manchester to accelerate R&D and real-world deployment.