Fortem lands $50 million as demand for counter-drone tech surges

Fortem Technologies is putting fresh money behind its counter-drone ambitions as demand grows for systems capable of detecting and stopping unauthorized aircraft. The Lindon, Utah-based airspace security company has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Lockheed Martin. The round also includes Unusual Machines and other strategic and institutional investors.

Lockheed Martin committed $25 million to the initial tranche of the round announced earlier this year.

Fortem says the new funding will help it accelerate manufacturing at its Utah facility and expand deployments of its SkyDome Family of Systems. The platform brings together TrueView radar sensors, AI-powered command-and-control software, and autonomous DroneHunter interceptors. Together, those technologies are designed to detect, track, classify, and ultimately defeat aerial threats.

The timing comes as hostile and unauthorized drones become a bigger concern across both civilian and military airspace. Fortem has already picked up several major contracts that highlight the growing market for counter-UAS technology.

The company recently secured a multimillion-dollar Department of Homeland Security contract to help protect venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also has a US Army contract covering the defense of installations worldwide and is integrating its technology with Lockheed Martin’s Sanctum counter-UAS architecture.

Fortem also landed a significant DHS opportunity in August, becoming the only small business selected as a prime contractor on the agency’s five-year counter-UAS hardware and software contract. The deal has an estimated starting ceiling of $1.011 billion, with additional growth possible over its duration.

For Fortem, the Series B isn’t just about developing new technology. It’s about producing and deploying more of what it already has as customers look for systems they can put into operation quickly.

“The threat is real, demand is here, and our technology is proven in real-world environments,” says Charlie O’Connell, Fortem’s chief business officer.

Lockheed Martin’s investment also deepens an existing relationship between the two companies. Stephanie C. Hill, president of Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, said customers need counter-UAS systems that can be fielded quickly, scaled in volume, and adapted as threats evolve.

With $50 million now behind it, Fortem is positioning its counter-drone systems for a market that is increasingly moving from experimentation toward large-scale deployment.

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