What are the latest funding news in the counter-UAS market? (September 2026)
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Counter-UAS funding is increasingly flowing to complete systems that can detect, track and neutralize cheap drones at operational scale.
The 12 publicly verifiable rounds covered here totaled approximately $1.52B in disclosed funding.
Most companies are raising to expand manufacturing, validate products with defense customers and deploy affordable protection against drone swarms.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the counter-UAS market.
Insights
- Four rounds of $200M or more accounted for roughly 83% of the disclosed capital, showing that counter-UAS investors are prioritizing production capacity and deployment readiness over early research.
- Six of the 12 deals focused on hard-kill drone defeat, including interceptor drones, missiles and autonomous gun systems, highlighting demand for reliable counter-drone engagement rather than detection alone.
- Directed-energy counter-UAS companies raised about $308M across three rounds, signaling continued investor interest in laser and microwave systems with potentially low cost per engagement.
- Nine of the 12 rounds were announced from June through August 2026, suggesting that counter-UAS fundraising accelerated sharply during the summer as drone threats became more urgent for military buyers.
- United States-based companies captured seven of the 12 rounds, but European and Israeli startups remained highly active in counter-swarm defense, interceptors and laser-based drone neutralization.
- The funding pattern favors systems designed for volume: portable interceptors, low-cost missiles, rapid-fire lasers and autonomous weapon stations all seek to improve the economics of defeating inexpensive drones.
- Several companies are moving beyond prototype status, with rounds supporting factories, supply chains, field deployments and government procurement rather than only engineering teams.
As this chart shows, and as featured in our counter-UAS market deck, search interest in counter-UAS has been trending upward
Summary table of the latest funding deals in the counter-UAS market as of September 2026
We define the counter-UAS market as solutions purpose-built to detect, track, and identify unmanned aircraft and to defeat or neutralize them within a protected area.
We include UAS-specific sensors and data fusion, command-and-control/engagement software, and mitigation effectors (kinetic and non-kinetic), plus integration and sustainment required to operate the system.
We exclude drone/robotics manufacturing, general-purpose security or air-defense capabilities not configured for small UAS, and detection-only offerings sold without a credible path to interdiction.
You can also read our detailed analysis to understand how funding activity in the counter-UAS market has evolved over the last few years.
We also have a quarter-by-quarter analysis of funding activity in the market here.
Finally, you can check our complete list of fundraising deals for the counter-UAS market (we update this list every quarter) as well as our ranking of the most funded startups.
| Name | When | Amount in $ | Round Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mara | August 26, 2026 | $7M | Pre-seed | Kinetic counter-drone interceptors |
| Cambridge Aerospace | August 10, 2026 | $300M | Series C | Hard-kill drone and missile interceptors |
| Aurelius Systems | August 5, 2026 | $40M | Series A | Directed-energy counter-UAS |
| Singularity Defense | July 14, 2026 | $80M | Series A | Low-cost air-defense interceptors |
| Skapion | July 9, 2026 | $36M | Seed | Mobile counter-swarm defense |
| Esh-Tech | June 30, 2026 | $18M | Funding round | Laser-based counter-UAS effectors |
| Askari Defense | June 26, 2026 | $9M | Seed | Portable kinetic drone interceptors |
| Alta Ares | June 9, 2026 | Approximately $57M | Series A | AI-guided drone interceptors |
| Allen Control Systems | June 5, 2026 | $200M | Series B | Autonomous gun-based counter-UAS |
| CHAOS Industries | November 13, 2025 | $510M | Series D | Counter-UAS radar and data fusion |
| Alpine Eagle | March 6, 2025 | Approximately $11M | Seed | Airborne counter-drone systems |
| Epirus | March 5, 2025 | $250M | Series D | High-power microwave counter-UAS |
All the latest funding deals in the counter-UAS market as of September 2026
Mara raised $7M in a pre-seed round in August 2026.
When was it?
Mara announced the $7M pre-seed round on August 26, 2026.
Who are they?
Mara is developing Spike, a portable autonomous system that detects hostile FPV drones and launches small kinetic interceptors to destroy them.
Geographical focus?
Mara is focused on the United States and allied military markets, including NATO countries and Ukraine.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Mara belongs in the counter-UAS market because Spike combines drone detection, targeting and kinetic defeat in one portable anti-swarm system.
What is the company stage?
Mara is at an early commercialization stage, moving from field testing toward broader operational deployments.
How much did they raise?
Mara raised $7M to advance its counter-drone platform.
What round is it?
Mara completed a pre-seed round led by Khosla Ventures.
Why did they raise?
Mara raised the funding to finish Spike development, expand production and prepare the system for deployments against FPV drone threats.
Cambridge Aerospace raised $300M in a Series C round in August 2026.
When was it?
Cambridge Aerospace announced the $300M Series C round on August 10, 2026.
Who are they?
Cambridge Aerospace develops low-cost interceptor systems, including Skyhammer, to destroy drones and other airborne threats.
Geographical focus?
Cambridge Aerospace serves the United Kingdom, Europe and wider NATO defense markets.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Cambridge Aerospace belongs in the counter-UAS market because Skyhammer is designed as an affordable hard-kill interceptor for hostile drones.
What is the company stage?
Cambridge Aerospace is in a growth and industrial scale-up stage, with products in testing and early production.
How much did they raise?
Cambridge Aerospace raised $300M at an approximately $3.4B post-money valuation.
What round is it?
Cambridge Aerospace completed a Series C round led by DFJ Growth.
Why did they raise?
Cambridge Aerospace raised the capital to expand interceptor production and build capacity for large-scale European air-defense demand.
This chart, featured in our counter-UAS market deck, compares the main business model options for counter-drone defense system companies
Aurelius Systems raised $40M in a Series A round in August 2026.
When was it?
Aurelius Systems announced the $40M Series A round on August 5, 2026.
Who are they?
Aurelius Systems builds Archimedes, an autonomous directed-energy platform that detects, tracks and disables hostile drones.
Geographical focus?
Aurelius Systems is initially focused on United States defense customers and is expanding toward allied international markets.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Aurelius Systems belongs in the counter-UAS market because Archimedes combines sensors, autonomy and directed-energy effects to neutralize drones.
What is the company stage?
Aurelius Systems is a growth-stage hardware company advancing from technical validation toward production readiness and customer deployment.
How much did they raise?
Aurelius Systems raised $40M to advance Archimedes and scale operations.
What round is it?
Aurelius Systems completed a Series A round co-led by Draper Associates and KAS Venture Partners.
Why did they raise?
Aurelius Systems raised the funding to expand manufacturing, vertically integrate critical components and broaden its platform offerings.
Singularity Defense raised $80M in a Series A round in July 2026.
When was it?
Singularity Defense announced the $80M Series A round on July 14, 2026.
Who are they?
Singularity Defense develops affordable interceptors intended to defeat drones and other low-cost airborne threats.
Geographical focus?
Singularity Defense is focused on United States and allied military customers.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Singularity Defense belongs in the counter-UAS market because its core product strategy centers on low-cost systems for defeating drone attacks.
What is the company stage?
Singularity Defense is at an early commercial development stage, with systems being developed and tested after emerging from stealth.
How much did they raise?
Singularity Defense raised $80M at an approximately $400M valuation.
What round is it?
Singularity Defense completed a Series A round co-led by Khosla Ventures and Felicis.
Why did they raise?
Singularity Defense raised the funding to develop and manufacture affordable interceptors at much larger volumes.
This chart, featured in our counter-UAS market deck, shows why DroneShield is winning in counter-UAS
Skapion raised $36M in a seed round in July 2026.
When was it?
Skapion announced the $36M seed round on July 9, 2026.
Who are they?
Skapion is developing a mobile system designed to detect and defeat coordinated swarms of attacking drones.
Geographical focus?
Skapion is based in Israel and targets defense customers in Israel, the United States and allied markets.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Skapion belongs in the counter-UAS market because its product is purpose-built to protect forces and infrastructure from mass drone attacks.
What is the company stage?
Skapion is a seed-stage company building and validating its first operational counter-swarm system.
How much did they raise?
Skapion raised $36M to accelerate product development and fielding.
What round is it?
Skapion completed a seed round led by UP.Partners and Khosla Ventures.
Why did they raise?
Skapion raised the capital to grow engineering, validate its system and deepen engagement with government and defense customers.
Esh-Tech raised $18M in a funding round in June 2026.
When was it?
Esh-Tech announced the $18M funding round on June 30, 2026.
Who are they?
Esh-Tech develops DroneLight, a pulsed-laser system that physically damages and disables drones at short-to-medium range.
Geographical focus?
Esh-Tech is based in Israel and is pursuing international defense sales and deployments.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Esh-Tech belongs in the counter-UAS market because DroneLight is a dedicated hard-kill laser effector for hostile drones and drone swarms.
What is the company stage?
Esh-Tech is moving from late-stage product development toward a larger production and deployment phase.
How much did they raise?
Esh-Tech raised $18M to complete DroneLight development and expand manufacturing.
What round is it?
Esh-Tech completed an unclassified funding round led by Kinetica Ventures.
Why did they raise?
Esh-Tech raised the capital to establish an Israeli production line, expand its team and increase global delivery capacity.
In our counter-UAS market deck, we identify pain points entrepreneurs should prioritize
Askari Defense raised $9M in a seed round in June 2026.
When was it?
Askari Defense announced the $9M seed round on June 26, 2026.
Who are they?
Askari Defense makes hand-launched, computer-vision-guided interceptor drones for frontline soldiers.
Geographical focus?
Askari Defense is focused on the United States, especially special operations and frontline military customers.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Askari Defense belongs in the counter-UAS market because its Rift interceptors are designed to pursue and kinetically destroy hostile drones.
What is the company stage?
Askari Defense is at an early commercial stage, with delivered systems and more than $2M in reported procurement contracts.
How much did they raise?
Askari Defense raised $9M, bringing reported total funding to roughly $11M.
What round is it?
Askari Defense completed a seed round led by Builders VC.
Why did they raise?
Askari Defense raised the capital to expand production and deploy lightweight interceptors for dismounted soldiers.
Alta Ares raised approximately $57M in a Series A round in June 2026.
When was it?
Alta Ares announced the €50M Series A round on June 9, 2026.
Who are they?
Alta Ares develops AI-guided interceptors and software that identify and destroy drones, missiles and glide bombs.
Geographical focus?
Alta Ares is active in France and Ukraine, with expansion plans across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Alta Ares belongs in the counter-UAS market because its systems are designed to identify and intercept hostile drones in operational environments.
What is the company stage?
Alta Ares is at a growth stage, with deployments, signed contracts and production expansion underway.
How much did they raise?
Alta Ares raised €50M, equivalent to approximately $57M at the announcement date.
What round is it?
Alta Ares completed a Series A round led by Air Street Capital.
Why did they raise?
Alta Ares raised the funding to increase production, hire staff and expand into international defense markets.
This market map, featured in our counter-UAS market deck, highlights top companies and startups in the counter-UAS market
Allen Control Systems raised $200M in a Series B round in June 2026.
When was it?
Allen Control Systems announced the $200M Series B round on June 5, 2026.
Who are they?
Allen Control Systems develops Bullfrog, an autonomous weapon station that uses computer vision and precision fire to defeat drones.
Geographical focus?
Allen Control Systems serves United States and allied military customers.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Allen Control Systems belongs in the counter-UAS market because Bullfrog autonomously detects, tracks and engages unmanned aircraft with hard-kill effects.
What is the company stage?
Allen Control Systems is in a growth stage with government contracts and active manufacturing scale-up.
How much did they raise?
Allen Control Systems raised $200M at an approximately $2.2B post-money valuation.
What round is it?
Allen Control Systems completed a Series B round led by Smash Capital.
Why did they raise?
Allen Control Systems raised the capital to expand manufacturing, accelerate Bullfrog deployment and support new autonomous weapon products.
CHAOS Industries raised $510M in a Series D round in November 2025.
When was it?
CHAOS Industries announced the $510M Series D round on November 13, 2025.
Who are they?
CHAOS Industries develops distributed radar and sensing networks that detect, track and provide targeting information on drones and other airborne threats.
Geographical focus?
CHAOS Industries is focused on United States and allied defense markets.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
CHAOS Industries belongs in the counter-UAS market because its sensing and data-fusion systems support the detection and engagement layer of counter-drone operations.
What is the company stage?
CHAOS Industries is a growth-stage defense company with major funding, customer traction and manufacturing expansion underway.
How much did they raise?
CHAOS Industries raised $510M at an approximately $4.5B valuation.
What round is it?
CHAOS Industries completed a Series D round led by Valor Equity Partners.
Why did they raise?
CHAOS Industries raised the funding to expand product development and manufacturing for networked sensing systems.
This chart, featured in our counter-UAS market deck, shows annual funding in counter-UAS startups
Alpine Eagle raised approximately $11M in a seed round in March 2025.
When was it?
Alpine Eagle announced the €10.25M seed round on March 6, 2025.
Who are they?
Alpine Eagle develops Sentinel, an airborne counter-drone system combining sensors, machine learning, command software and interceptor drones.
Geographical focus?
Alpine Eagle is focused on Germany and wider European defense markets, with the United Kingdom as an important expansion market.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Alpine Eagle belongs in the counter-UAS market because Sentinel can detect, classify and neutralize hostile drones with airborne sensors and interceptors.
What is the company stage?
Alpine Eagle is at an early commercial stage, with the German military as a launch customer and early revenue traction.
How much did they raise?
Alpine Eagle raised €10.25M, equivalent to approximately $11M at the announcement date.
What round is it?
Alpine Eagle completed a seed round led by IQ Capital.
Why did they raise?
Alpine Eagle raised the capital to develop Sentinel, hire staff and expand into European defense markets.
Epirus raised $250M in a Series D round in March 2025.
When was it?
Epirus announced the $250M Series D round on March 5, 2025.
Who are they?
Epirus develops Leonidas, a high-power microwave system that disables individual drones, drone swarms and other electronic threats.
Geographical focus?
Epirus is focused on the United States, allied markets and commercial critical-infrastructure customers.
Why do we include them in the counter-UAS market?
Epirus belongs in the counter-UAS market because Leonidas is a purpose-built non-kinetic effector for disabling drones and drone swarms.
What is the company stage?
Epirus is in a growth and production scale-up stage, supported by defense validation and government programs.
How much did they raise?
Epirus raised $250M to increase Leonidas production and strengthen its supply chain.
What round is it?
Epirus completed a Series D round led by 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners.
Why did they raise?
Epirus raised the funding to grow production, hire personnel and expand into international and commercial markets.
Related blog posts
- The evolution of funding activity in the counter-UAS market
- The main fundraising trends in the counter-UAS market
- How strong is fundraising in the counter-UAS market right now?
- What are the top startups in the counter-UAS market?
