defense
Rocket Lab adds a suborbital launch option aimed at hypersonic defense customers
Rocket Lab is adding a new offering to its suite of services: hypersonic suborbital launches. The new service will be available starting sometime in the first half of this year, when the company will
Shield AI raises another $60M at a $2.3B valuation for its military autonomous flying tech
Defense technology continues to get a lot of attention from investors, and today, one of the bigger startups in the space is announcing more funding. Shield AI — which develops platforms and pla
Razor’s Edge Ventures closes $340M fund as it looks to invest in defense startups
In a sign that national security tech is a safe bet even during troubled economic times, defense- and security-focused VC firm Razor’s Edge Ventures today announced the closing of its third star
Booz Allen Hamilton launches $100M corporate venture arm focused on early-stage startups
Booz Allen Hamilton, the Virginia-based, defense-focused IT consulting firm, today announced the launch of a corporate venture capital arm, Booz Allen Ventures, that will initially put $100 million to
Slingshot Aerospace scores $25M Space Force contract to build ‘digital twin’ space simulator
Space simulation and analytics company Slingshot Aerospace has been awarded a $25.2 million, 39-month contract by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to further develop and deliver two of its products: Digita
GM plans to build a military vehicle based on the Hummer EV
The Hummer H1 was based on a military truck, and now it appears GM is ready to return the favor: GM plans to build a military vehicle prototype based on the upcoming Hummer EV.
UK to invest in AI and cyber as part of major defense spending hike
The UK has announced a massive boost in defense spending — £16.5 billion ($21.8BN) over four years, the biggest such spending bump for 30 years — in what prime minister Boris Johnson has
CFIUS Cometh: What this obscure agency does and why it matters to your fund or startup
On January 12, 2016, Grindr announced it had sold a 60% controlling stake in the company to Beijing Kunlun Tech, a Chinese gaming firm, valuing the company at $155 million...
Defense Secretary James Mattis steps down
The man who led the Department of Defense for the first two years of the Trump administration will wrap up his tenure early next year. Retired Marine General James Mattis will leave his post by Februa
Palmer Luckey’s defense company Anduril is already leading to arrests at the southern border
Palmer Luckey’s defense project just crawled out of stealth mode. Between a flattering new Wired piece and its first few official tweets, the secretive year-old company known as Anduril is stepp
Google reportedly backing out of military contract after public backlash
A controversial Google contract with the U.S. military will not be renewed next year after internal and public outcry against it, Gizmodo reports. The program itself was not particularly distasteful o
New Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen brings her cybersecurity focus to domestic defense
After a Senate vote on Tuesday, Kirstjen Nielsen has been confirmed as John Kelly's replacement to lead the Department of Homeland Security. The top position at the DHS has remained open since Kelly l
The US Government must work with tech companies if it wants to remain competitive in AI
U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis is concluding his tech tour of the West Coast today with a visit to Google's Mountain View campus. Mattis spent time at Amazon and the Defense Innovation Unit
Border wall bill draws on Palmer Luckey’s new defense company
After being ousted from the VR empire he built, Oculus founder Palmer Luckey is wasting no time on his next project: building the wall. As CNN reports, Luckey's newfound interest in defense is evident
The Wizards of Armageddon set up shop in Silicon Valley
The Research and Development Corporation (RAND) has helped the U.S. think through some of the toughest scientific and regulatory challenges since the 1940s. This year, the think tank is opening its fi
Fortem raises $5.5 million to hunt and take down unwanted drones
As drones became available to private citizens around the world, bad actors found ways to use them for nefarious purposes, like spying, carrying contraband across borders and turning the aerial robots
Blackmore raises $3.5 million to build better eyes for your self-driving car
A Bozeman, Montana startup called Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc. has raised $3.5 million to build lidar systems that can help vehicles see more details about what’s in front of them than exist
The Boeing Black Secure Android Smartphone Gets Official After Three Years In Development
Boeing’s secure smartphone has been fully detailed after an FCC filing revealed its imminent arrival yesterday, and the Android device seems like an unusual, and mission-specific gadget. With a
Department Of Defense To Private Sector: We Need Your Help With Mobile Innovation
On stage at the second-day keynote, Major General Robert Wheeler talked about the changing role of industry and enterprise as it relates to technological innovation, and how where once the military le
Army suit increases human strength by 20 times
A U.S. Army contractor has developed an Iron Man-like suit that can amplify human strength by up to 20 times. (You’d almost be able to lift Biggs, then!) The suit, developed by Salt Late City-ba