Firestorm Labs, a San Diego-based company specializing in advanced drones for warfare, has successfully closed a $47 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with significant contributions from Lockheed Martin Ventures and other defense-focused venture firms including Decisive Point, Washington Harbour Partners, and Booz Allen Ventures. This funding round also includes $12 million in venture debt from JPMorgan, marking a significant milestone for Firestorm Labs in its mission to revolutionize unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for defense purposes.

The investment highlights the critical role of Firestorm’s innovative approach to drone manufacturing, which utilizes distributed, additive manufacturing techniques. This method allows for the production of low-cost, adaptable, and open-architecture UAS, positioning the U.S. at the forefront of unmanned systems technology. Aaron Jacobson, a partner at NEA, emphasized the importance of Firestorm’s technology in keeping troops safe and advancing U.S. leadership in defense technologies. Similarly, Chris Moran of Lockheed Martin Ventures pointed out the strategic advantage of deployable, on-site 3D drone printing in enhancing the warfighter’s capabilities and securing the battlespace.

Firestorm Labs plans to utilize the Series A funding to scale its xCell platform, a modular airframe system designed to enable combat teams to build and repair drones directly on the battlefield. This capability is expected to significantly reduce production timelines, costs, and logistical constraints, providing U.S. and allied forces with adaptive technology tailored to complex and contested operational environments. Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm Labs, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, noting its potential to accelerate the delivery of battlefield-ready solutions.

The involvement of high-profile investors like Lockheed Martin Ventures, which has grown its investment fund to $400 million since its inception in 2007, underscores the strategic importance of Firestorm’s technology in the defense sector. Mina Faltas of Washington Harbour Partners and Thomas Hendrix of Decisive Point also highlighted the transformative potential of Firestorm’s edge manufacturing and modularity in vehicles and payloads, describing it as a ‘force multiplier’ for the military’s readiness and manufacturing capacity.

This funding round not only signifies a vote of confidence in Firestorm Labs’ innovative approach to drone technology but also reflects the broader defense industry’s shift towards more agile, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable solutions in response to evolving global security challenges.

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