Firestorm Labs, a San Diego-based pioneer in expeditionary manufacturing, has secured $47 million in Series A funding to transform how military and commercial drones are produced. The round, announced on July 16, 2025, was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) with participation from defense-focused investors including Lockheed Martin Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, and Washington Harbour Partners, with $12 million in venture debt from J.P. Morgan.
The investment builds upon Firestorm's initial $12.5 million seed round and follows the company's January 2025 announcement of a $100 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to deliver modular, 3D-printed drones over five years. Earlier this month, Firestorm also secured exclusive distribution rights from HP for mobile Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technologies, positioning the company to expand beyond defense applications.
At the core of Firestorm's innovation is xCell, a semi-automated manufacturing system housed in expandable shipping containers that can be deployed anywhere in the world. Running on generators or traditional power sources, xCell produces up to 50 drones monthly at the point of need—dramatically reducing production timelines and logistical constraints. The system incorporates AI-enabled flight computers and supports features including AI autopilots, GPS-denied navigation, and automatic target recognition.
The company currently offers two primary drone models: the Tempest 50, which weighs under 55 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, and the smaller El Niño, a hand-launchable precision-guided system. Both utilize Firestorm's OCTRA flight controller, which provides substantial computing resources for complex algorithms and enables mission adaptability.
"We're thrilled about this milestone because it empowers Firestorm to deliver critical, battlefield-ready solutions faster and at scale," said CEO Dan Magy. The funding will allow the company to advance its additive manufacturing platform by hiring additional engineers, opening a larger production facility, and broadening its partnership program. Firestorm plans to enhance its modularity suite by uniting onboard computing, tactical software, and mission planning into one plug-and-play ecosystem that delivers autonomy and adaptability without vendor lock-in.