Firestorm Labs Raises $82M for Containerized Drone Factories
Firestorm Labs, a defense startup located in San Diego, has secured $82 million in Series B funding for its xCell platform, which specializes in containerized drone manufacturing. This round was spearheaded by Washington Harbour Partners and included investments from NEA, Ondas, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin, among others, bringing the total funding to $153 million. To address customer needs, Firestorm shifted towards mobile production. Utilizing an industrial-grade HP 3D printer, xCell can create drone bodies in less than 24 hours for purposes such as surveillance and electronic warfare, including lethal capabilities. The Pentagon recognizes contested logistics as a vital technology. Firestorm earns revenue through hardware sales and military contracts, notably a $100 million deal with the Air Force. Currently, two xCell units are operational in New York and Florida, with activities extending into the Indo-Pacific. Firestorm also holds a five-year exclusive agreement with HP for mobile 3D printing.
Key facts
- Firestorm Labs raised $82 million in Series B funding led by Washington Harbour Partners.
- Total funding reaches $153 million.
- xCell is a containerized manufacturing platform that can print drone systems in under 24 hours.
- Drones can be configured for surveillance or electronic warfare and are capable of lethal operations.
- The Pentagon designated contested logistics as one of six national critical technology areas.
- Air Force contract has a $100 million ceiling with $27 million obligated.
- Two xCell units are deployed: at Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York, and Air Force Special Operations Command in Florida.
- Firestorm holds a five-year global exclusive with HP for mobile 3D printing.
Entities
Institutions
- Firestorm Labs
- Washington Harbour Partners
- NEA
- Ondas
- In-Q-Tel
- Lockheed Martin
- Booz Allen Ventures
- Geodesic
- Motley Fool Ventures
- HP
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- Air Force Special Operations Command
- Department of Defense
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Army
- TechCrunch
Locations
- San Diego
- California
- United States
- Rome
- New York
- Florida
- Indo-Pacific
- Ukraine