Firestorm Labs, a San Diego-based defense technology company developing expeditionary manufacturing systems and autonomous unmanned aerial systems, has raised $82 million in Series B funding to accelerate production of its mobile drone manufacturing platforms and expand its defense technology operations. The round was led by Washington Harbour Partners, with participation from New Enterprise Associates, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, Ondas Holdings, Geodesic Capital, and Motley Fool Ventures. The financing brings Firestorm’s total funding to more than $150 million and will support expansion of its distributed manufacturing capabilities, engineering efforts, and production capacity.

Founded in 2022, Firestorm Labs is building what it describes as an expeditionary manufacturing platform designed to enable the rapid production of autonomous systems closer to where they are needed. The company develops portable manufacturing solutions that allow military and defense organizations to produce drones and other systems at the point of need rather than relying entirely on traditional centralized supply chains.

At the center of Firestorm’s technology platform is the xCell, a containerized manufacturing system designed to operate in distributed environments. The system combines advanced manufacturing equipment with digital production capabilities, allowing operators to manufacture unmanned aerial systems closer to operational locations. Firestorm believes this approach can help address challenges associated with long logistics chains, limited supply availability, and the need for faster adaptation in modern defense environments.

The company initially focused on developing autonomous drones but expanded its mission after customers expressed demand for more flexible production capabilities. Firestorm identified that supplying autonomous systems during rapidly changing operational conditions required not only advanced drone designs but also a new approach to manufacturing and logistics. Its mobile factory concept is designed to provide defense organizations with a more agile method for producing and maintaining equipment.

Firestorm’s product portfolio includes the Tempest family of uncrewed aerial systems, which are designed for defense applications and can be produced using the company’s distributed manufacturing approach. By combining drone development with localized production infrastructure, Firestorm aims to create a more resilient defense supply chain capable of responding quickly to changing mission requirements.

The Series B investment builds on Firestorm’s previous fundraising activity. In 2025, the company raised $47 million in Series A funding led by New Enterprise Associates, with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, Decisive Point, Washington Harbour Partners, and Booz Allen Ventures. That funding supported expansion of Firestorm’s engineering team, development of its manufacturing platform, and growth of its production capabilities.

The latest financing reflects increasing investor interest in defense technology companies focused on autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. Military organizations have placed greater emphasis on technologies that enable faster production and deployment of affordable systems, particularly as conflicts around the world have demonstrated the importance of scalable drone capabilities.

Firestorm has also secured government support for expanding its manufacturing and drone production capabilities. The company was selected for an award of up to $30 million through the Department of War’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies program. The award is intended to support expansion of the xCell manufacturing platform and production of the Tempest family of uncrewed aerial systems for operational use.

Investors backing Firestorm include venture firms, defense-focused investment groups, and strategic organizations with experience supporting technology companies serving government and national security markets. New Enterprise Associates has invested in technology companies across sectors, while In-Q-Tel supports companies developing technologies relevant to national security. Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in emerging technologies connected to aerospace and defense, and Booz Allen Ventures focuses on technology solutions aligned with government and enterprise needs.

Firestorm plans to use the new capital to expand manufacturing capacity, develop additional autonomous systems, and strengthen its ability to deliver distributed production solutions for defense customers. The company aims to create a new model for defense manufacturing in which critical equipment can be produced rapidly and closer to operational environments.

As demand grows for autonomous defense technologies and resilient supply chains, Firestorm Labs is positioning its platform as infrastructure for the next generation of military manufacturing. With backing from defense-focused investors and growing government partnerships, the company is working to advance a future where autonomous systems can be designed, produced, and deployed with greater speed and flexibility.

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