Fortem Raises $50 Million to Scale Counter-Drone Systems

Lockheed Martin leads Series B as demand grows for integrated detection, tracking and drone interception technology

Fortem Technologies has closed a $50 million Series B financing round to expand production and deployment of its counter-drone systems.

Lockheed Martin led the round after committing $25 million in an initial investment announced in April. Unusual Machines also participated, along with other strategic and institutional investors.

Donald Trump Jr. is an investor in Unusual Machines and joined the drone component maker’s advisory board in 2024.

Fortem says the new capital will help expand manufacturing at its Lindon, Utah facility. The company also plans to increase global deployment of its SkyDome Family of Systems.

SkyDome combines TrueView radar sensors, command-and-control software and DroneHunter autonomous interceptors. The system detects, tracks and classifies drones, then provides options to defeat threats.

“The participation of Lockheed Martin, Unusual Machines, and other key investors confirms Fortem’s leadership of airspace security,” said Charlie O’Connell, Chief Business Officer at Fortem Technologies. “The threat is real, demand is here, and our technology is proven in real-world environments – from the Middle East to Europe to the World Cup. This capital lets Fortem scale to meet accelerating demand for our products.”

Investment Follows Growing Counter-UAS Demand

The financing comes as military and civilian organizations increase spending on counter-UAS technology.

Lockheed Martin announced its initial $25 million Fortem investment in April. At the time, the company said the funding would help Fortem expand production and support deployment within Lockheed Martin’s Sanctum counter-UAS ecosystem.

The companies have also demonstrated their technology together. In June, a Lockheed Martin test used Fortem R-40 radars with the Sanctum system to detect and track a Group 3 one-way attack drone. A JAGM missile launched from Lockheed Martin’s GRIZZLY system then intercepted the target.

Fortem has also secured several government opportunities during 2026.

In August, the company announced its selection as a prime contractor on a five-year Department of Homeland Security counter-UAS contract. Fortem was the only small business among seven companies selected for Track 1, which covers hardware, software and related services.

That multiple-award contract has an estimated initial ceiling of $1.011 billion. The ceiling applies to the overall contract vehicle rather than representing a direct $1.011 billion award to Fortem. DHS components can issue task orders to selected contractors under the program.

Fortem has also received a multimillion-dollar order to help protect venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The company says it has also secured a U.S. Army contract to protect installations worldwide.

Scaling Production

The new financing provides Fortem with capital to move from growing deployments toward larger-scale production.

Lockheed Martin said in April that its investment would allow Fortem to at least double manufacturing capacity in Utah. The relationship also gives Fortem a path to integrate its sensors and other technology into a broader counter-UAS architecture.

“Our partners need counter-UAS capabilities that can move faster than the threat. They need solutions they can field quickly, scale in volume and adapt rapidly. That’s why we’re investing ahead of the need. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering the right capability, at an affordable cost, and at the speed of relevance,” said Stephanie C. Hill, President, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.

The participation of Unusual Machines also connects two parts of the growing U.S. drone defense market. Unusual Machines focuses on U.S.-based production and supply of drone components, while Fortem develops systems designed to detect and defeat unauthorized or hostile aircraft.

For Fortem, the completed Series B provides funding to expand production as governments seek counter-UAS systems that can address larger numbers of low-cost drones. The investment also deepens Fortem’s relationship with Lockheed Martin as the companies work to integrate counter-drone technologies into broader air defense systems.

Read more:

• “Much Bigger Than Stadiums”: Fortem CEO Raises Concerns Over U.S. Counter-UAS Gaps
• Fortem DroneHunter and TrueView Radar Join Lockheed Martin Sanctum
• DHS Taps Fortem for Kinetic Counter-UAS Systems at World Cup Venues