Firestorm Labs, a San Diego-based innovator in advanced drone technology for warfare, has successfully closed a $47 million Series A funding round. This significant investment was led by New Enterprise Associates, with participation from a consortium of defense-focused venture firms including Lockheed Martin Ventures, Decisive Point, Washington Harbour Partners, and Booz Allen Ventures, alongside $12 million in venture debt from JPMorgan. The funding underscores the growing importance of adaptable and cost-effective unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern warfare.

Aaron Jacobson of New Enterprise Associates highlighted Firestorm’s groundbreaking use of distributed, additive manufacturing for creating low-cost, adaptable drones. This technology is pivotal in safeguarding troops and maintaining U.S. leadership in unmanned systems. Chris Moran from Lockheed Martin Ventures emphasized the strategic value of deployable, on-site 3D drone printing in enhancing the warfighter’s ability to secure the battlespace and advancing U.S. defense technologies.

Firestorm Labs plans to allocate the Series A funds towards scaling its xCell platform, a revolutionary system enabling combat teams to construct and repair drones directly on the battlefield. The xCell platform’s modular airframe design allows for the rapid production and reconfiguration of drones for various missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and strike operations. Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, noting it accelerates the delivery of battlefield-ready solutions by reducing production timelines, costs, and logistical hurdles.

Mina Faltas of Washington Harbour Partners and Thomas Hendrix from Decisive Point both lauded Firestorm’s contribution to addressing the military’s manufacturing capacity constraints. Faltas highlighted the company’s role in bolstering the defense ecosystem through additive manufacturing, while Hendrix praised Firestorm’s edge manufacturing and modularity as a force multiplier in defense technology.

This funding round not only marks a significant milestone for Firestorm Labs but also reflects the broader defense sector’s shift towards innovative technologies that offer strategic advantages on the modern battlefield. With its cutting-edge drone manufacturing capabilities, Firestorm is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of unmanned systems in defense.

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