New and recently funded Military Startups
1
Country: USA | Funding: $566M
Hermeus is developing unmanned hypersonic aircraft Darkhorse designed for US defense and national security missions. It will be powered by the Chimera combined-cycle turbine engine. At low speeds, it operates in turbine mode, like any jet aircraft. At higher speeds, the incoming air bypasses the turbine, and the ramjet engine takes over control. The company uses a rapid prototyping and testing approach similar to SpaceX. It has already conducted a demonstration flight of its prototype, which is comparable in size to an F-16 fighter jet. Hermeus has also a contract with the US Air Force to develop an Advanced Battle Management System.
Hermeus is developing unmanned hypersonic aircraft Darkhorse designed for US defense and national security missions. It will be powered by the Chimera combined-cycle turbine engine. At low speeds, it operates in turbine mode, like any jet aircraft. At higher speeds, the incoming air bypasses the turbine, and the ramjet engine takes over control. The company uses a rapid prototyping and testing approach similar to SpaceX. It has already conducted a demonstration flight of its prototype, which is comparable in size to an F-16 fighter jet. Hermeus has also a contract with the US Air Force to develop an Advanced Battle Management System.
2
Country: USA | Funding: $2.6B
Saronic develops advanced unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) that provide maritime security and situational awareness by combining best-in-class hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform. The company produces the Corsair (a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel), Mirage (a 40-foot vessel), and Marauder (a 180-foot cargo boat). Artificial intelligence and cross-platform data fusion enable multi-asset teaming. Digital twins accelerate learning and reduce risk prior to system validation in the physical world. Saronic operates its own shipyard in Franklin and plans to build another mega-factory.
Saronic develops advanced unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) that provide maritime security and situational awareness by combining best-in-class hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into a single, scalable, fully integrated platform. The company produces the Corsair (a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel), Mirage (a 40-foot vessel), and Marauder (a 180-foot cargo boat). Artificial intelligence and cross-platform data fusion enable multi-asset teaming. Digital twins accelerate learning and reduce risk prior to system validation in the physical world. Saronic operates its own shipyard in Franklin and plans to build another mega-factory.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $3.6B
Shield AI is developing X-BAT - large, AI-controlled vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet, as well as the Hivemind - intelligent platform for military applications. X-BAT has a 12-meter wingspan, a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles, and a 4G maneuvering load factor. It can carry combat missiles and take off and land from ships, remote islands or rugged forward bases, eliminating dependence on traditional infrastructure. Its AI autopilot can operate in conditions of GPS and communications interference. The company is collaborating with the US Department of Defense to develop next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Its Vidar multi-camera system, with day and night vision cameras and sensors, is installed on reconnaissance drones for edge video analytics and mapping. The company is also developing Tracker C-UAS, an intelligent software solution for the early detection of drones in air defense systems using video from electro-optical and infrared sensors.
Shield AI is developing X-BAT - large, AI-controlled vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet, as well as the Hivemind - intelligent platform for military applications. X-BAT has a 12-meter wingspan, a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles, and a 4G maneuvering load factor. It can carry combat missiles and take off and land from ships, remote islands or rugged forward bases, eliminating dependence on traditional infrastructure. Its AI autopilot can operate in conditions of GPS and communications interference. The company is collaborating with the US Department of Defense to develop next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Its Vidar multi-camera system, with day and night vision cameras and sensors, is installed on reconnaissance drones for edge video analytics and mapping. The company is also developing Tracker C-UAS, an intelligent software solution for the early detection of drones in air defense systems using video from electro-optical and infrared sensors.
4
Country: Ukraine
WIY STRILA develops missile-type anti-aircraft UAV interceptor and other anti-aircraft drones. WIY STRILA is an air defense UAV interceptor, ready for day/night operation, designed to intercept high-speed and maneuverable aerial targets, specifically, the Shahed-136/131, reconnaissance wings, and other attack UAVs, while providing cover for positions, units, and critical infrastructure at a safe distance. The platform provides rapid takeoff, high rendezvous dynamics and precise targeting. Integration with the WIY's standard software and targeting sources (including radar) provides the operator with target direction, altitude, and speed cues, reducing the time from detection to neutralization and reducing crew workload.
WIY STRILA develops missile-type anti-aircraft UAV interceptor and other anti-aircraft drones. WIY STRILA is an air defense UAV interceptor, ready for day/night operation, designed to intercept high-speed and maneuverable aerial targets, specifically, the Shahed-136/131, reconnaissance wings, and other attack UAVs, while providing cover for positions, units, and critical infrastructure at a safe distance. The platform provides rapid takeoff, high rendezvous dynamics and precise targeting. Integration with the WIY's standard software and targeting sources (including radar) provides the operator with target direction, altitude, and speed cues, reducing the time from detection to neutralization and reducing crew workload.
5
Country: USA | Funding: $12.5M
Poseidon Aerospace develops autonomous sea-based aircraft designed to transport cargo using ground effect flight.
Poseidon Aerospace develops autonomous sea-based aircraft designed to transport cargo using ground effect flight.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $150M
Arc Boats builds hybrid electric vessels: tugs, ferries, and electric motors for autonomous defense boats (ensuring stealth). Its integrated electric systems combine the propulsion system, energy storage, and software into a single, coherent platform. The electric motor delivers high instantaneous torque and flexible speed control for precise control in port, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs. They ensure efficient charging and more environmentally friendly operation for busy, repetitive schedules. Without fuel systems or complex transmissions, the electric propulsion system minimizes maintenance and downtime.
Arc Boats builds hybrid electric vessels: tugs, ferries, and electric motors for autonomous defense boats (ensuring stealth). Its integrated electric systems combine the propulsion system, energy storage, and software into a single, coherent platform. The electric motor delivers high instantaneous torque and flexible speed control for precise control in port, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs. They ensure efficient charging and more environmentally friendly operation for busy, repetitive schedules. Without fuel systems or complex transmissions, the electric propulsion system minimizes maintenance and downtime.
7
Country: USA | Funding: $171.5M
Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for National Security systems.
Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for National Security systems.
8
Country: USA | Funding: $100M
Aalyria is a telecom startup that specializes in data connectivity and reliability through weather and atmospheric conditions.
Aalyria is a telecom startup that specializes in data connectivity and reliability through weather and atmospheric conditions.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $347.1M
Gecko Robotics produces robots and sensors for inspecting large military objects. The company has signed a multi-year contract with the US Navy to monitor the state and performance of installations and ships in the US Pacific Fleet. The company's software helps the organization monitor the condition of installations and recommend maintenance, preventing problems before they occur and reducing maintenance time and costs. Gecko robots can climb, crawl, swim, and fly to build first-order data layers on the physical world. The company then combines these data with the predictive power of AI into a single source of truth for the physical world.
Gecko Robotics produces robots and sensors for inspecting large military objects. The company has signed a multi-year contract with the US Navy to monitor the state and performance of installations and ships in the US Pacific Fleet. The company's software helps the organization monitor the condition of installations and recommend maintenance, preventing problems before they occur and reducing maintenance time and costs. Gecko robots can climb, crawl, swim, and fly to build first-order data layers on the physical world. The company then combines these data with the predictive power of AI into a single source of truth for the physical world.
10
Country: Ukraine | Funding: $12,6M
Buntar Aerospace develops complex solutions for UAV navigation and control in various environments. The company's main product is an electronic warfare-resistant reconnaissance UAV of operational-tactical level. Its autopilot Buntar Copilot - reduces the risk of losing the aircraft even before its departure due to integration with DELTA (combat control platform), weather data, altitude map and other flight mission planning and execution automation systems.
Buntar Aerospace develops complex solutions for UAV navigation and control in various environments. The company's main product is an electronic warfare-resistant reconnaissance UAV of operational-tactical level. Its autopilot Buntar Copilot - reduces the risk of losing the aircraft even before its departure due to integration with DELTA (combat control platform), weather data, altitude map and other flight mission planning and execution automation systems.
