El Segundo, California-based Smack Technologies, a defense AI startup that builds decision-making tools for the military, has raised US$61 million in a series B round to speed up production of its Omega software and fund development of Alpha, a flexible forearm AI display.

The funding follows the Pentagon’s move to expand its AI supplier base after Anthropic was declared a supply-chain risk in March.

CEO Andy Markoff said the decision led to talks this spring with the Marine Corps and Navy. In July, Smack said it won two prototyping contracts from the Joint Fires Network and the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab worth more than US$1 million combined.

Founded in 2024, Smack said Omega uses reinforcement-learning models and real-time computer vision to generate targeting options in minutes and adapt battle plans in seconds.

Investors included Costanoa Ventures, First In, Point72 Ventures, and Geodesic Capital.

Smack said it plans to produce 10 to 20 Alpha prototypes at its Austin office over the next six months and increase headcount from 51 to about 85 by year-end.

🔗 Source: Reuters