Firestorm Labs
This company is in the pipeline of America 2030, IPO CLUB’s $50M, actively managed secondary fund focused on U.S. defense, energy, security, and AI.
Updated in November, 2025
Headquarter: San Diego, CA
Year Founded: 2022
Employees: ~80–130 | 2025
Business Status: Growth-stage, scaling production capacity and government contract fulfillment across modular UAS and expeditionary manufacturing platforms
Industry Sectors: Defense Technology, Autonomous Drones, Expeditionary Manufacturing
What is Firestorm Labs?
Firestorm Labs is a San Diego–based defense technology company founded in 2022 that develops modular, open-architecture unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and expeditionary manufacturing solutions. The company’s mission is to enable rapid, low-cost drone production and deployment directly at the point of need, transforming how the U.S. and allied forces generate and sustain aerial capabilities in contested environments. Firestorm integrates additive manufacturing, autonomy, and modularity to deliver “Affordable Mass” for defense and emergency operations.
Why do we like it?
Firestorm Labs sits at the intersection of two major defense innovation themes: modular UAS and distributed, expeditionary manufacturing. Its exclusive partnership with HP Inc. for mobile 3D printing and its $100M+ in U.S. Air Force contracts demonstrate strong traction and strategic validation. Backing from NEA, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, and Decisive Point underscores investor confidence. The company’s scalable, open-architecture systems and mobile “factory-in-a-box” model could redefine drone logistics and sustainment in the field, aligning with DoD modernization and attritable systems initiatives.
What do they do?
Firestorm Labs designs and produces modular UAS platforms and mobile manufacturing systems for defense, ISR, EW, and humanitarian operations. Its Tempest series drones feature customizable configurations, swappable propulsion and payload systems, and rapid assembly for mission flexibility. The Armory platform provides an open, resilient operating environment compatible with MOSA/FACE/GRA standards, allowing rapid payload integration and third-party development. The xCell Factory-in-a-Box enables containerized, deployable drone production using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing, supporting on-site fabrication and maintenance in forward bases or disaster zones.
What is the opportunity?
Firestorm operates on a distributed manufacturing model, relocating to a new facility three times larger than its prior site to scale production and integrate mobile xCell units. It develops Group 1–3 drones, field autonomy systems, and expeditionary production technologies. Its FirestormOS software and SDKs provide autonomy, target recognition, and GPS-denied navigation. The company partners with Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, NEA, Washington Harbour Partners, and HP Inc., supporting both defense and commercial field-deployment capabilities. Workforce expansion to ~80–130 employees accompanies its Series A growth.
Business status / operations
Firestorm operates on a distributed manufacturing model, relocating to a new facility three times larger than its prior site to scale production and integrate mobile xCell units. It develops Group 1–3 drones, field autonomy systems, and expeditionary production technologies. Its FirestormOS software and SDKs provide autonomy, target recognition, and GPS-denied navigation. The company partners with Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, NEA, Washington Harbour Partners, and HP Inc., supporting both defense and commercial field-deployment capabilities. Workforce expansion to ~80–130 employees accompanies its Series A growth.
Recent financing and investors
Firestorm raised $12.5M Seed (Mar 2024) and $47M Series A (Jul 2025: $35M equity + $12M venture debt), reaching a post-money valuation of ~$150–180M. Investors include NEA (lead), Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, Decisive Point, and Washington Harbour Partners. Capital is allocated to workforce expansion, DoD contract execution, and scaling of distributed manufacturing capabilities. Revenue exceeded $25M in 2025, supported by active and pipeline contracts exceeding $100M.
Competitive landscape
Firestorm competes with both emerging and established defense drone firms, including Anduril, Shield AI, and DroneUp. Its differentiation lies in modular adaptability, open architecture, and mobile manufacturing—capabilities that legacy defense contractors lack. Firestorm’s integration of additive manufacturing, autonomy, and rapid field customization creates a significant cost and speed advantage. The company aligns closely with DoD’s push toward “attritable,” rapidly replenishable drone fleets.
Firestorm Labs xCell designed for expeditionary deployment
Firestorm Labs has secured a $100 million contract with the US Air Force for the development of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The project will focus on integrating Firestorm's Tempest 50 drone into key Air Force initiatives, enhancing military innovation and operational flexibility.
This company is in the pipeline of America 2030, IPO CLUB’s $50M, actively managed secondary fund focused on U.S. defense, energy, security, and AI.
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Secretary of War Hegseth’s “Rebuild the Arsenal of Freedom” speech underscores sweeping defense acquisition reforms that align tightly with America 2030 Fund’s investment in late-stage dual-use technology companies. Faster pathways to procurement, export expansion, and industrial base revitalization set the stage for outsized returns.