BIC Presents: Meet Zulu Pods

In this episode, PJ Moynihan sits down with Rob Sladen, co-founder of BIC Member company Zulu Pods, at their Northampton, Massachusetts facility.  Rob shares how Zulu Pods began in 2020 with a “Tide Pod for the jet engine” — a patented, precision oil delivery system for short-mission gas turbine engines. By combining a pump and oil tank into one compact unit, the company addresses inefficiencies and reduces part counts for expendable jet engines used in drones and missiles.

Since then, Zulu Pods has expanded into smart backup oil systems and AI-enabled corrosion prevention pods that automate maintenance for high-value defense assets like the F-35B’s lift fan. These innovations eliminate costly tear-downs, reduce manual labor, and improve fleet readiness. Rob discusses the company’s COVID-era garage origins, the role of Navy and Army SBIR funding in accelerating growth, and the principles of optimal lubrication theory.

With customers including Boeing, Sikorsky, and Rolls-Royce, Zulu Pods is now a 23-person team on track for rapid revenue growth and new opportunities in both defense and commercial markets. As proud members of the Berkshire Innovation Center, Zulu Pods continues to innovate at the intersection of aerospace engineering and mission-critical reliability.

Links

Zulu Pods: https://www.zulupods.com/

Berkshire Innovation Center:

 https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com