Key Takeaways
- • Firehawk Defense, a Dallas-based US defence technology startup, raised $150m in a funding round co-led by Advent International and Rochefort Asset Management, valuing the company at more than $1.4bn, according to Reuters.
- • Proceeds are reportedly earmarked for expanding manufacturing of rocket propellants and artillery motors in Oklahoma and Mississippi.
- • Firehawk reportedly targets production of more than 100,000 artillery motors in 2027 under a commercial agreement with General Dynamics.
- • The Oklahoma facility is expected to begin low-rate production by mid-2027 before scaling to tens of thousands of motors per month.
- • The raise reflects growing private capital interest in US defence manufacturing suppliers seeking to ease production bottlenecks dominated by contractors such as L3Harris and Northrop Grumman.
Summary
US defence technology startup Firehawk Defense has secured $150m in a funding round co-led by private equity firm Advent International and Rochefort Asset Management, valuing the company at more than $1.4bn, according to a report by Reuters. The Dallas-based company counts 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm backed by Donald Trump Jr., among its existing investors.
Firehawk is reportedly seeking to expand domestic production of rocket propellants and artillery motors as demand for tactical munitions grows. The company plans to use the proceeds to expand manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma and Mississippi. According to the report, it is targeting production of more than 100,000 artillery motors in 2027 under a commercial agreement with General Dynamics.
The Oklahoma facility is expected to begin low-rate production by mid-2027 before scaling to tens of thousands of motors per month, according to the same reporting. The timeline indicates that meaningful volume depends on the successful ramp of this site.
The investment reflects broader private capital interest in US defence manufacturing. Suppliers that can address production bottlenecks are attracting capital, even as the sector remains dominated by established contractors including L3Harris and Northrop Grumman.
Firehawk is reportedly seeking to expand domestic production of rocket propellants and artillery motors as demand for tactical munitions grows. The company plans to use the proceeds to expand manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma and Mississippi. According to the report, it is targeting production of more than 100,000 artillery motors in 2027 under a commercial agreement with General Dynamics.
The Oklahoma facility is expected to begin low-rate production by mid-2027 before scaling to tens of thousands of motors per month, according to the same reporting. The timeline indicates that meaningful volume depends on the successful ramp of this site.
The investment reflects broader private capital interest in US defence manufacturing. Suppliers that can address production bottlenecks are attracting capital, even as the sector remains dominated by established contractors including L3Harris and Northrop Grumman.
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