Defense Tech

Extracted Attributes

• Scope

  Includes systems infrastructure, communications and intelligence technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and innovation leveraged on the battlefield and beyond.

• Definition

  A broad sector encompassing technologies and systems for national security and military operations, defined as any business that requires the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and defense as a core pillar of growth.

• Product Types

  Can be dual-use (selling to government and commercial sectors) or single-use (government-only).

• Key Technologies

  Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Counter-UAS (CUAS), Surveillance Systems, Networked Command and Control Software, Advanced Computing & Software, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Defense-specific Technologies, Human-Machine Interfaces, Quantum Sciences, Renewable Energy Generation & Storage, Semiconductors & Microelectronics, Sensing, Connectivity & Security, Space Technology, Cyber Warfare, Internet of Military Things (IoMT), Immersive Technologies, Additive Manufacturing, Big Data & Analytics, 5G Connectivity, Blockchain.

• Strategic Importance

  Maintains U.S. military's competitive edge, ensures national security, protects soldiers, and enhances combat readiness and situational awareness.

• US Defense Tech Venture Investment Trend

  Accelerated since 2014, peaked in 2021, remains robust, and is on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels (around $25 billion) in 2024.

• Global Defense Equipment Market Value (2023)

  USD 517.2 billion

• Global Defense Equipment Market Projection (2025)

  USD 762.1 billion

Timeline

• U.S. defense tech venture investment began to accelerate. (Source: J.P. Morgan)

  2014-01-01

• Anduril Industries was co-founded by Palmer Luckey and others. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2017-01-01

• U.S. defense tech venture investment peaked. (Source: J.P. Morgan)

  2021-01-01

• The DOD's technology vision was established by Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, outlining 14 critical technology areas. (Source: J.P. Morgan)

  2022-01-01

• The global defense equipment market was valued at USD 517.2 billion. (Source: StartUs Insights)

  2023-01-01

• U.S. defense tech investment is on track to pass pre-pandemic levels (around $25 billion). (Source: J.P. Morgan)

  2024-01-01

• The global defense equipment market is projected to grow to USD 762.1 billion. (Source: StartUs Insights)

  2025-01-01

Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries, Inc. is an American defense technology company that specializes in autonomous systems. It was cofounded in 2017 by inventor and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey and others. Anduril aims to sell systems to the U.S. Department of Defense that will incorporate artificial intelligence and robotics. Anduril's major products include unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (CUAS), semi-portable autonomous surveillance systems, and networked command and control software.

Web Search Results

• Roadmap: Defense Tech - Bessemer Venture Partners

  As an umbrella category, defense tech is much broader than rockets, tanks, and aircraft carriers. Defense tech includes everything that the DOD and the broader national security infrastructure touches—including the systems infrastructure, communications and intelligence technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, as well as the innovation leveraged on the battlefield and beyond. [...] > At Bessemer, we define defense tech as any business that requires the DOD and defense as a core pillar of growth for the company. This assumes the product can be dual use, government only, or currently commercial only but will expand to also be government-focused in the future. Ultimately, this involves a defense-specific product and defense specific go-to-market and sales teams. Read more on our theses here. So why now? ----------- [...] Rapid deployment of advanced technology onto battlefields during conflicts between countries (rather than non-states) represents a revolution in the conduct of military operations. Ukraine illustrates this new reality and how the systems of defense have evolved in recent years. Ukraine is a case study showcasing three areas of defense tech that will need significant and immediate attention: 1) UAVs, 2) cybersecurity, 3) and mass communications and social media.

• Defense Tech Innovation and the Role of Startups | J.P. Morgan

  _Defense tech includes advanced computing & software, advanced materials & manufacturing, autonomous systems, biotechnology, defense-specific technologies, human-machine interfaces, quantum sciences, renewable energy generation & storage, semiconductors & microelectronics, sensing, connectivity & security, and space technology. These categories align with the DOD’s CTAs. US-based, VC investment._ _Source: Data from PitchBook. YTD 2024 as of 7/31/24._ [...] , which articulated the department’s priorities and the importance of “leveraging critical emerging technologies … to bolster our competitive advantages … that will help ensure our national security over the long term.” This builds on the DOD’s technology vision established in 2022 by Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, which outlines 14 critical technology areas, including quantum science, AI and autonomy, and space technology as part of the greater [...] The infographic shows U.S. defense tech investment activity from 2014 to 2024, indexing U.S. venture capital investment and defense tech capital investment at 2014 levels. Venture investment in defense tech started to accelerate in 2014 before peaking in 2021. Still, defense investment remains relatively robust compared to overall U.S. venture capital investment since the 2021 peak. Investment is on track (at around $25 billion) to pass the levels experienced pre-pandemic ($21 billion in 2019).

• Top 10 Military Technology Trends & Innovations for 2025

  ### Top 10 Future Military Technologies in 2025 1. Artificial Intelligence 2. Advanced Defense Equipment 3. Robotics & Autonomous Systems 4. Internet of Military Things 5. Cyber Warfare 6. Immersive Technologies 7. Additive Manufacturing 8. Big Data & Analytics 9. 5G Connectivity 10. Blockchain Image 4: Defense&Military-Trends-InnovationMap-StartUs-Insights-noresize Want to explore all Military Technology innovations & trends? Request Sample Database [...] In addition, research in biotechnology and nanotechnology is advancing, leading to the creation of innovative equipment like self-healing armor. Advanced wearable tech, integrated with biometric sensors, is another area of focus. This technology optimizes combat readiness and situational awareness for soldiers, enhancing their performance on the battlefield. Moreover, the global defense equipment market was valued at USD 517.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 762.1 billion by [...] ### 4. Internet of Military Things (IoMT) IoT applications in defense connect ships, planes, tanks, drones, soldiers, and operating bases into a cohesive network. This connection enhances perception, field understanding, situational awareness, and response time. Supporting the smooth flow of data across all military branches, edge computing, AI, and 5G strengthen the command and control structure.

• Investing in strength: The case for modern defense tech

  To distill the large and diverse defense-tech ecosystem, we use a categorization framework with two overarching criteria: _end-market focus_ and _user_ _engagement mechanism_. End-market focus. Defense companies can be broadly bucketed into two categories: 1. Single Use: These companies only sell their products only to government and defense. 2. Dual Use: These companies sell their products primarily to government and defense but also the commercial sector. [...] One vector of this theme is replacing legacy in-house builds—for example, OpsLab provides an asset management platform for the Air Force to oversee its aerial fleet, replacing the use of a decades-old homegrown solution that is maintained by outsourced contractors. [...] To understand where defense tech is headed, we need to understand how we got here. In this post, we’ll share why we’re excited about defense tech, frameworks we use to understand the landscape and themes we find the most compelling. Additionally, we’re sharing a more in-depth presentation that has guided our thinking on defense internally at Battery Ventures. ### Framing the opportunity

• Military Technology: A New Era of Defense to Protect Our ...

  These developments are aligned with the Department of Defense’s strategy to leverage emerging technologies, such as advanced materials and human-machine interfaces, to maintain the U.S. military’s competitive edge. The goal is not only to protect soldiers more effectively, but also to equip them with the tools they need to operate more efficiently in complex and dynamic combat environments. Advancing Military Technologies at Capitol Tech [...] In an era where technological supremacy can determine the critical outcomes, the U.S. Military’s commitment to innovation is vital. By developing and embracing cutting-edge advancements, the Armed Forces continue to stay ahead of the curve, maximizing protection for soldiers and maintaining a strategic advantage. Innovative technologies, like those listed below, help safeguard those who defend our nation and secure our freedoms. Helmet-Mounted Radar [...] A key area of the military’s focus on safety and effectiveness is the development of next-generation combat gear, including lighter and more protective helmets, body armor, wearable sensors, and communication systems. These innovations aim to provide better ballistic protection while reducing the weight burden on soldiers, thus improving mobility and comfort during extended operations. Additionally, this equipment often integrates with other tech, such as heads-up displays and augmented