PentagonTech

Exclusive: Interlune Snags $1.25M AFWERX Contract for Quantum-Focused Terrestrial Helium-3 Extraction

If you’re a Payload reader, you’ve probably heard of Interlune. Luckily for us, the space resources startup is kicking off work a little closer to home.   On Wednesday, in an exclusive release to Tectonic, Interlune announced that they’ve scored a $1.25M AFWERX contract to increase the terrestrial supply of helium-3—a rare isotope of helium critical […]

Investment

Merlin Raises Upsized PIPE Financing to $200M Ahead of Going Public

For all of the antiquated critiques that defense tech isn’t an investable sector, a whole lot of investors would beg to differ.  On Monday, aviation autonomy hotshot Merlin announced over $75M in new private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing, increasing the total capital raised from $125M to more than $200M ahead of their expected […]

PentagonPolicy

Pentagon CTO Cuts Critical Technology Areas to Six

Christmas came early for the defense tech world.  On Monday, Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)), Emil Michael, unveiled the six Critical Technology Areas (CTAs) that made the cut on the Pentagon’s pared-down list of priorities, a key signal of where the Department intends to direct R&D resources.  Hope y’all aren’t too bummed […]

InvestmentPentagon

The Pentagon’s $9B Shutdown Spending Spree

Despite the government being shut down for 43 days—the longest in US history—the Pentagon was certainly open for business.  After the House struck a deal and President Trump signed a continuing resolution to keep the government open through January last week, the DoD’s workforce returned to their desks to announce nearly $9B in new contracts […]

InvestmentTech

Anduril’s Big Week

It’s been (another) busy, busy week in defense tech, especially for everyone’s favorite globetrotting neo-prime.  Over the past few days, Anduril has announced a new autonomous air vehicle (AAV) called Omen, its selection for the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System Maneuver (IBCS-M) program, a partnership with Hyundai Heavy Industries on autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), and […]

Europe

Frankenburg Inks Big Ol’ Deal with Polish Prime 

It would appear the great startup-prime defense tech partnership fever has spread across the pond.  On Thursday, Estonian counter-drone interceptor startup Frankenburg Technologies announced that its teaming up with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish Armaments Group, or PGZ)—the holding company for Poland’s state-owned defense companies— to integrate and produce interceptors, with plans to build up to […]

Investment

Forterra Hits $1B+ Valuation after $238M Series C

Well, the defense tech money hose isn’t looking like it’s slowing down anytime soon.  On Wednesday, ground autonomy company Forterra announced a massive $238M Series C that launched its valuation over the $1B mark. The funding round—which included $50M in debt financing—was led by Moore Strategic Ventures with participation from RTX Ventures, Franklin Templeton, Hanwha […]

InvestmentPentagon

Neros Raises $75M Series B, Tapped for Army Drone Program

Last week, we said Neros was turning things up a notch. We might’ve jumped the gun—now they’re really turning it up.  Earlier this week, the white-hot drone startup announced it closed $75M Series B. As a cherry on top, they were tapped for the US Army’s Purpose Built Attritable System (PBAS) program.  Not a bad […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Shakes Up Defense Acquisition 

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, a tectonic shift is underway in the way the Pentagon does business. (Ha, ha, ha.) Over the course of his 70-minute speech to defense industry execs, military procurement officials, and others at the National War College on Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete […]