Military & Defense Tech
Autonomous weapons and the future of warfare.
Industry Overview
Defense technology is undergoing its most significant transformation since the atomic age. Autonomous systems, AI surveillance, and software-defined warfare are reshaping how nations project power. In 2026, the Pentagon increasingly favors Silicon Valley startups over traditional primes.
Key Players
- Traditional Primes: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Defense, BAE Systems
- Silicon Valley Defense: Anduril ($30B valuation, Arsenal-1), Palantir, Shield AI, Epirus
- Surveillance & AI: Palantir ($30M ICE/CBP), Clearview AI ($3.75M facial recognition)
Current Trends (2026)
- Autonomous-First Strategy: US Army committing $9.8B to shift from manned to autonomous platforms
- Anduril Arsenal-1: $30B startup building hyperscale weapons factory in Ohio
- Facial Recognition Expansion: Mass surveillance deployed despite civil liberties concerns
Why It Matters
Defense technology doesn't stay on the battlefield. Today's defense innovations—AI surveillance, autonomous systems, facial recognition—are already crossing into civilian use, shaping policing, border security, and authoritarian control. For governments, technological superiority determines great power competition.