American Dynamism 50

Former Force Recon Marine Chris Taylor founded Aalyria based on projects originally developed at Alphabet. These technologies improve connectivity for space, air, sea, and ground-based defense operations. Aalyria’s Spacetime platform manages real-time, complex networks, while the company’s Tightbeam laser terminals — planned for deployment on commercial ships across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean — will bring high-speed laser communications to open ocean areas. Last year, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) selected Aalyria to enhance tactical command and control for autonomous defense systems, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

Inspired by his father’s work at NASA Langley, Robinhood cofounder Baiju Bhatt shifted to aerospace in 2024 to launch Aetherflux. The company taps into space-based solar energy, using low Earth orbit satellites and infrared lasers to transmit power — bypassing traditional solar farms and grid infrastructure. For military applications, this could supply a steady energy supply for remote bases, eliminating reliance on vulnerable fuel convoys. In October 2024, Aetherflux joined the Commercial Spaceflight Federation to collaborate with government agencies, positioning its off-grid energy as an advantage for U.S. forces.

Air Space Intelligence’s (ASI) software simulates and optimizes the most complex operations across critical industries and defense. The company’s AI-powered platform impacts more than 25% of all U.S. air traffic and supports critical missions within the Department of Defense. ASI’s technology enhances the resilience and efficiency of operations and supply chains, ensuring that critical assets are positioned and orchestrated effectively to deter and respond to threats.

Cofounded by former U.S. Navy nuclear engineers, ACS is pioneering technology in counter-drone defense. Its flagship system, Bullfrog, is an autonomous robotic gun that detects, tracks, identifies, and neutralizes drone threats in real time, securing military bases, naval vessels, and forward-operating forces. 

Anduril takes a software-first approach to hardware, speeding up military innovation. Its autonomous systems handle real-time surveillance, force protection, and unmanned combat missions. In 2025, Anduril is ramping up production with Arsenal-1, a 5 million-square-foot factory in Columbus, Ohio, to mass-produce autonomous weapons, while also deepening partnerships with OpenAI and Palantir to integrate AI into national security missions. That growth comes alongside expanding government contracts. In February 2025, Anduril took over the U.S. Army’s $22 billion Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program from Microsoft, bringing advanced mixed-reality headsets to the battlefield to boost soldiers’ situational awareness.

Unlike traditional nuclear power, Antares’ kilowatt-scale microreactors are mobile, scalable, and low-maintenance, providing reliable energy without fuel supply chains. This makes them especially valuable for U.S. military operations, where powering forward-operating bases and remote sites remains a logistical challenge. In September, Antares announced it had secured $3.75 million in Department of Defense funding and is working with national laboratories to refine its technology. The company also teamed up with Savannah River National Laboratory last year to develop small modular reactor (SMR) technology for defense. Antares plans to deploy its first 240-kilowatt, non-nuclear demonstration unit by mid-2025.

AnySignal’s end-to-end RF technology — spanning antennas, modems, and sophisticated signal processing software — enables real-time communications with satellites and other mission-critical assets. Their team includes former SpaceX engineers who helped develop key systems for Falcon, Starlink, and Starship. In February 2024, AnySignal partnered with Vast Space to develop next-generation space communication systems for the Haven-1 space station, advancing secure and resilient in-orbit connectivity.

In the three years since its founding, Apex Space has revamped satellite manufacturing. Its 46,000-square-foot facility, Factory One, can churn out up to 50 spacecraft a year, meeting demand for rapid, high-volume production. Apex’s satellites have become valuable assets for space situational awareness and missile tracking. In October, Apex announced a partnership with Anduril aimed at fast-tracking space system development and deployment for the U.S. and its allies. And last month, the company secured a $45.9 million contract from the U.S. Space Force.

Applied Intuition’s software powers real-world simulations for autonomous systems, allowing users to train, test, and fine-tune AI decision-making before deployment. This technology is essential for autonomous ground and aerial vehicles operating in contested environments. With offices in Washington, D.C., Germany, South Korea, and Japan, Applied Intuition has established itself as a leader in military AI adoption. In 2025, the company is scaling up its battlefield simulation technology to bolster U.S. deterrence and readiness.

Seeing the potential for electric propulsion in marine applications, former aerospace engineers Mitch Lee and Ryan Cook launched Arc Boats in 2021, building high-performance electric watercraft. Their first models, the Arc One and Arc Sport, demonstrated new possibilities in sustainable marine engineering. While Arc is currently focused on the consumer market, its advancements in battery and propulsion technology could have future applications in maritime security. To keep up with demand, the company moved into a new 150,000-square-foot production facility outside Los Angeles in 2024.

Armada builds satellite-connected, rapidly deployable data centers for off-grid and remote locations. Unlike traditional data centers, its Galleon units are self-contained, ruggedized, and AI-enabled, delivering real-time data processing where conventional infrastructure falls short. In February 2025, Armada teamed up with industrial AI firm Avathon to bring prescriptive maintenance and inventory management to bandwidth-limited environments like offshore oil rigs and mining sites. This tech is also crucial for defense operations, ensuring secure, distributed computing for battlefield intelligence, command-and-control, and autonomous military systems.

Astranis’ MicroGEO satellites deliver fast, affordable connectivity, improving civilian broadband and military communications resilience. In September 2024, the company landed a $13.2 million U.S. Space Force contract to equip its Omega satellites with Military Ka-band compatibility, providing secure, low-latency tactical communications. Two months later, Astranis was chosen as a contractor for the Resilient GPS program, helping to reinforce U.S. military space infrastructure with low-cost positioning, navigation, and timing satellites. The company plans to have 100+ satellites in orbit by 2030.

Astro Mechanica founder Ian Brooke started out building model aircraft and helicopters as a kid — now he’s working on the world’s first turboelectric adaptive jet engine. Unlike conventional jet engines, Astro Mechanica’s design operates efficiently at all speeds, from takeoff to supersonic. The company is focused on high-speed aviation, with plans for trans-Pacific flight demonstrations.

Aaron Slodov has spent years working to revive and modernize U.S. manufacturing: he founded Reindustrialize, a conference dedicated to the cause. Atomic Industries is modernizing tool and die manufacturing with AI-driven automation, streamlining the production of high-precision components. In 2024, Atomic partnered with LS Mtron to integrate AI-powered mold-making into injection molding systems, advancing high-volume manufacturing with potential applications in defense and aerospace.

Working with the DIU, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and NATO, Auterion is upgrading open-source drone operating systems to improve mission flexibility and logistics across allied forces. Its modular, interoperable platform integrates across military fleets, making drone operations more efficient and adaptable. In August 2024, the DIU selected Auterion to prototype small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) designed to operate in electromagnetically contested environments. In December, the company partnered with Rheinmetall to standardize military drone software across NATO allies. Auterion’s Skynode, an AI-powered autopilot and mission computer, enhances computer vision and autonomous navigation, giving unmanned military operations greater precision and intelligence.

Base Power is addressing energy volatility, ensuring reliable power in an era of growing threats. By integrating state-of-the-art software with distributed energy systems, the company enables real-time energy management, grid flexibility, and autonomous power routing. This reduces dependence on vulnerable centralized grids, safeguarding against cyber threats, physical attacks, and bulk power disruptions. Base Power is currently operational in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston.

Before founding Cape, John Doyle served as a Special Forces sergeant and led Palantir’s national security division. Now, he’s building encrypted, resilient networks to secure communications for both civilian and defense applications. In April 2024, Cape landed a U.S. Navy contract to develop a secure cellular network at Naval Base Guam, strengthening cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific. Expanding its defense reach, Cape teamed up with IT&E in October to launch a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in the Pacific, delivering 4G/5G connectivity to the USS Abraham Lincoln up to 130 miles offshore.

Castelion is ramping up the development and production of hypersonic weapons at scale. In March 2024, the company successfully tested its first hypersonic missile prototype, proving that high-speed precision weapons can be built faster and more affordably. With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific, Castelion’s technology is built to bolster U.S. and allied deterrence, maintaining an operational edge over adversaries. Last year, it expanded its Texas-based manufacturing footprint to produce and ground-test rocket engines and propulsion systems.

Electromagnetic spectrum warfare is more crucial than ever in modern conflicts. CX2 leverages RF-defined platforms and munitions to unlock maneuver on the 21st century battlefield. Its autonomous networks enable next-gen sensing and strike capabilities to find, fix, and finish emitters — from GPS jammers to drone operators — giving forces a tactical edge

Diode integrates code-based circuit design, automatic board routing, and manufacturer aggregation to slash development time and streamline the hardware lifecycle. Its platform cuts the traditionally manual, months-long printed circuit board (PCB) design process down to days, delivering ready-to-use boards. As AI-powered component design becomes a key focus for defense innovation, Diode’s technology could help modernize U.S. military hardware.

Distributed Spectrum’s RF sensing platform uses AI to provide real-time spectrum analysis, helping forces detect and counter threats faster in contested environments. In September 2024, the company won the U.S. branch of the AUKUS Electronic Warfare Innovation Challenge with RF sensing tech designed to combat adversarial electromagnetic activity in the Indo-Pacific. Its partnership with the defense tech company Picogrid brought RF spectrum awareness solutions to the U.S. Air Force, strengthening electronic warfare and signals intelligence. 

Epirus is pushing the limits of electromagnetic warfare with its solid-state, software-defined directed-energy systems. Its flagship product, Leonidas, is a high-power microwave weapon capable of disabling entire drone swarms in seconds. The technology is increasingly being integrated into U.S. military operations to protect critical assets. Last year, Epirus delivered the final batch of four Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) prototypes to the U.S. Army, boosting short-range air defense against drone threats. In August, it also demonstrated Leonidas’s ability to neutralize unmanned naval threats at the Navy’s ANTX exercise.

Exowatt is building at the intersection of renewable energy and AI infrastructure, tackling energy security with sustainable solutions. The company develops renewable power systems designed to meet the growing energy demands of AI-driven data centers. Its P3 system combines a heat collector, thermal battery, and heat engine to harness and store solar energy as heat, delivering on-demand electricity. This modular, off-grid technology is suited for energy-intensive applications and high-density computing across commercial and government uses.

Firehawk builds customizable, 3D-printed hybrid rocket engines that are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional solid or liquid-fueled systems. The company secured a U.S. Army SBIR Phase III contract to develop rocket motors for the GMLRS, Javelin, and Stinger missile systems, and last year, AFWERX selected Firehawk to supply hybrid rocket engines to the U.S. Air Force. Expanding its launch and testing capabilities, Firehawk operates within the FISTA Innovation Park and runs a 30-square-mile launch range in West Texas, where it conducts tests for its rocket engines.

Forterra develops AI-powered military vehicles designed to navigate tough, high-risk terrain autonomously. In January, the company received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to equip light armored trucks with self-driving tech, enabling them to position and launch anti-ship missiles without a human driver. This upgrade, part of the ROGUE-Fires program, boosts the Marine Corps’ ability to counter maritime threats. Forterra is also expanding its ground autonomy systems to support DoD initiatives like the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and GEARS retrofit programs.

Galvanick cofounder Joshua Steinman, a former U.S. Navy officer and Senior Director for Cyber Policy on the National Security Council, launched the company in 2021 after years of defending against sophisticated cyber threats. Galvanick’s technology continuously gathers and analyzes industrial data, enabling real-time threat detection, differentiation, and automated response.

Manufacturing complex parts like rocket engine nozzles and fuselage sections has long been a slow, labor-intensive process, despite their critical role in aerospace and defense. Hadrian is changing that by combining robotics, AI-driven automation, and model-based manufacturing to speed up production and cut costs for high-precision metal components used in rockets, satellites, jets, drones, and beyond. Earlier this year, the company brought on Rear Admiral Mike Manazir — a former Boeing executive and retired U.S. Naval officer — as VP of Federal Sales, to accelerate its work with the government. To keep up with rising demand, Hadrian is also expanding its footprint with planned factories in Texas, Arizona, and Virginia.

Hermeus is pushing the limits of speed and range in military operations with its Mach 5, air-breathing vehicles. Last year, the company unveiled the Quarterhorse Mk 1, an uncrewed hypersonic test aircraft, and completed ground testing at Edwards Air Force Base. To address the U.S.’s shortage of hypersonic testing facilities, Hermeus broke ground on its HEAT (High Enthalpy Air-Breathing Test) facility in Jacksonville, Florida, which will support engine testing for the upcoming Quarterhorse Mk 2. 

Former SpaceX propulsion chief Tom Mueller launched Impulse Space to tackle the growing demand for efficient in-space transportation to higher orbits and beyond. His team’s innovations are strengthening U.S. space-based defense and intelligence efforts. In October 2024, Impulse Space secured a $34.5 million U.S. Space Force contract to support the upcoming VICTUS SURGO and VICTUS SALO missions, improving space domain awareness. In addition, the company won a BALISTA contract from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to develop agile space technologies for U.S. defense applications.

Neros cofounders Soren Monroe-Anderson and Olaf Hichwa first crossed paths as high school rivals in professional drone racing. Now, they’re bringing that expertise to the battlefield, building next-gen, vertically integrated unmanned systems. Designed for speed and agility in contested environments, Neros UAVs were deployed to Ukraine. In August 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) tapped the company to develop small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capable of operating in electromagnetically contested conditions.

Northwood’s “Portal” network uses phased-array antennas that will be able to connect to up to 10 satellites at once, boosting data throughput and reducing latency. In October 2024, the company successfully tested its prototype antenna, “Frankie,” establishing two-way communication with Planet Labs satellites. This year, Northwood plans to roll out its first Portal sites, with potential locations in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. As demand for real-time, high-speed satellite connectivity grows, the startup’s high-bandwidth, low-latency ground stations could become an asset in military satellite communications and surveillance infrastructure.

Physical Intelligence’s software gives machines the adaptability to handle real-world tasks with human-like flexibility. Its π0 (pi-zero) AI system allows robots to learn and perform complex actions — like assembling boxes or retrieving specific items — without human input. These advances in robotic autonomy have big implications for logistics and manufacturing, bridging the gap between AI and the physical world.

Quilter’s AI-powered “compiler” for printed circuit board (PCB) design automates component placement, routing, and physics validation, cutting layout time from weeks to just hours. The platform integrates with PCB design software like Altium and KiCAD, helping hardware teams speed up electronics research, iteration, and development. So far, Quilter’s technology has been used to design PCBs for products like cameras and high-speed microprocessors, with potential future applications in more complex designs.

Doug Bernauer spent over a decade at SpaceX working on portable nuclear energy concepts for future Mars colonies. Now, through Radiant, he’s bringing that vision to Earth with “Kaleidos,” a portable nuclear microreactor designed for hospitals, data centers, and military bases. In 2023, Radiant partnered with Hill Air Force Base to explore military applications for Kaleidos, aiming for operational readiness by 2028. And in October 2024, the company successfully completed a passive cooldown safety test, a necessary phase as it gears up for full-scale testing.

Re:Build’s founders are on a mission to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and strengthen supply chains. By blending advanced engineering with vertically integrated production, the company boosts efficiency, scalability, and resilience across defense, aerospace, healthcare, and clean tech. In January 2025, Re:Build launched a new member company out of its existing 175,000 facility in Pennsylvania to support U.S.-based battery manufacturing for defense, aerospace, and energy storage.

Cofounded by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Garrett Smith, Reveal Technology is transforming battlefield intelligence with AI-powered situational awareness tools. Its offline-optimized Farsight platform delivers near real-time 3D mapping, AI-driven analytics, and predictive decision-making, providing warfighters and first responders with intel in complex, communication-denied environments. With last year’s acquisition of DFL Technology, Reveal expanded its biometric and identity verification capabilities. 

Rune Technologies is optimizing military logistics with TyrOS, an AI-powered operating system that streamlines asset management, personnel readiness, and equipment distribution. Using predictive analytics and dynamic optimization, TyrOS provides real-time insights — critical for fast deployments and resilient supply chains. 

Saronic develops unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for maritime security and domain awareness, integrating hardware, software, and AI into a scalable platform. Its fleet includes the 6-foot Spyglass for reconnaissance, the 14-foot Cutlass for multi-mission operations, and the 24-foot Corsair, with a 1,000-nautical-mile range — enough to cross the Taiwan Strait 10 times. As Indo-Pacific tensions rise, Saronic’s USVs are central to the Navy’s hybrid fleet, deploying cost-effective autonomous systems to counter emerging threats. 

Scale AI continues to lead in AI data infrastructure, providing high-quality data labeling and model training to sharpen AI-driven decision-making. This month, the company was awarded a prototype contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for Thunderforge, flagship program to leverage AI for US military planning and operations. As part of the effort, Scale will work alongside Anduril and Microsoft to integrate AI agents into military workflows.

Senra is transforming wire harness production with AI-driven automation, cutting down manufacturing timelines for the bundles of cables and connectors that power everything from fighter jets and military drones to next-gen EVs and industrial robots. What was once a slow, manual process is streamlined through AI and proprietary software. Operating out of its 15,000-square-foot facility in Redondo Beach, Senra is strengthening supply chains across aerospace, defense, automotive, and robotics, improving efficiency and precision in the process.

Cofounded by Brandon Tseng, a former Navy SEAL, Shield develops advanced AI and hardware capable of powering government aircraft, drones, ships, and submarines. The company’s “Hivemind” AI pilot can function autonomously — without GPS or communications — to protect service members and civilians. Shield AI has integrated Hivemind into platforms like the F-16, MQM-178 Firejet, and V-BAT vertical takeoff drone. Last year, the company deepened its partnership with Palantir to enhance autonomous command and control systems. Shield AI’s V-BAT was also selected by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and was deployed in Ukraine.

Skydio’s AI-powered drones are built for high-risk missions and feature obstacle avoidance, real-time situational awareness, and autonomous navigation — even in GPS-denied environments. Its growing Drone as First Responder (DFR) program allows drones to arrive first at emergencies and provide live aerial updates. In October 2024, the company teamed up with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 to integrate its drone tech into Indo-Pacific defense operations, boosting regional security. (China later sanctioned Skydio for supplying drones to Taiwan’s National Fire Agency.) Skydio also expanded its global reach last year through a partnership with Indian robotics company Aeroarc.

Cofounded by a former U.S. Air Force officer, SkySafe leverages RF technology and deep-threat analysis to detect and counter unauthorized drones. Its platform delivers real-time monitoring, threat classification, and autonomous response, making it a player in both civilian and military airspace security. With multiple multi-million dollar contracts from U.S. allies in Asia, SkySafe is working to strengthen Indo-Pacific airspace defense against drone threats.

Decreasing our dependence on foreign chemical supply chains has become a national security imperative. Solugen is tackling the issue with biomanufacturing tech that produces high-purity chemicals while reducing environmental impact. In November 2024, the company secured a U.S. Department of Defense contract to develop a modular facility for making dual-use chemical precursors, fortifying domestic supply chains.

SpaceX’s vertically integrated approach to reusable rockets and low-cost launch systems has drastically reduced the cost of space access and exploration. Its rapid innovation cycle has cemented its dominance in both commercial spaceflight and national defense. For years, Chinese competitors have been developing technology to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. Starlink — and its government-focused counterpart, Starshield — serve as a backbone of U.S. military communications and sensing.

Swan’s founding team previously led autonomy divisions in self-driving cars (Uber) and trucks (Aurora). In partnership with leading OEMs, the company is working to develop scalable, effective autonomous capabilities for defense and industrial applications. 

Turion is taking on one of space’s biggest challenges: orbital safety. The company specializes in space debris removal and real-time space domain awareness, helping prevent collisions and protect critical space infrastructure. It also provides non-Earth imaging of satellites and debris, offering insights into the status and movements of foreign space assets. After receiving prior contracts from SpaceWERX and NASA to advance its technology, in December Turion received a U.S. Space Force contract to develop and launch three small satellites for debris tracking and monitoring, bolstering national security in space.

Umbra’s high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites cut through bad weather, darkness, and atmospheric interference to deliver continuous, high-quality imaging for defense and commercial use. In October, the company landed a multi-million dollar contract with the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) to integrate its SAR tech into the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), providing real-time intelligence for tactical operations. Late last year, Umbra also teamed up with Maxar Technologies, securing tasking contracts from government clients in the Asia-Pacific.

Vannevar’s AI models sift through adversarial communications, open-source intel, and digital signals to provide actionable insights for military decision-makers. The company’s tech has played a key role in Indo-Pacific operations, including assisting U.S. forces during a 2022 Congressional delegation to Taiwan by identifying Chinese diplomatic signals. Last year, Vannevar worked with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Pacific, analyzing foreign media narratives. And in November, the DIU announced a production-scale contract for the company to integrate its AI technology across the Department of Defense.

December marked a breakthrough in hypersonic propulsion with the successful ignition of the Venus Detonation Ramjet (VDR2) engine. Capable of transitioning from Mach 0 to Mach 6 — six times the speed of sound — the VDR2 sustains hypersonic speeds with efficiency. Last year, Venus Aerospace flew its first drone, hitting Mach 0.9 at 12,000 feet. Now, in partnership with DARPA, the company is pushing hypersonic testing forward, accelerating the development of next-gen military applications.

ZeroMark’s fire control system uses AI-driven targeting and real-time ballistic adjustments, giving ground forces the precision to take down aerial threats. In October 2024, the company worked with the U.S. Marine Corps to test its system on M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, boosting anti-drone effectiveness. Two months later, ZeroMark ran a counter-drone demo in Virginia, highlighting its tech’s ability to accurately engage threats.