An oversubscribed Series C round led by 1789 Capital, with partners including Donald Trump Jr., has secured $60 million for Firehawk Aerospace. Draper Associates, Decisive Point, Stellar Ventures, and Presto Tech Horizons (PTH) have also contributed to the fund.

The investment is strategically significant, especially for Europe.  By supporting Firehawk, Presto Tech Horizons hopes to improve the capacity of NATO and its allies to procure essential components of the munitions supply chain domestically.  This guarantees preparedness in high-pressure situations and lessens reliance on sluggish, conventional supply methods.

PTH is a unique partnership. It acts as a link between industry and innovation and was founded by defense technology giant CSG (Czechoslovak Group) and venture capital firm Presto Ventures.  Its participation guarantees that Firehawk’s technology will quickly be deployed throughout allied defense networks rather than staying in labs.

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In 2019, Will Edwards, Steve Edwards, and Ronald Jones launched Firehawk Aerospace.  The company specializes in creating cutting-edge, 3D-printed hybrid rocket fuel and engines for use in aerospace and defense applications. Custom fuel structures are made utilizing a unique additive manufacturing technology.  By using cutting-edge 3D printing technology to create safer, more affordable, and more effective rocket propulsion systems, the founders hoped to completely transform rocketry.

The core of Firehawk’s innovation is the utilization of 3D printing for solid rocket motors and rocket propellant, which substitutes the time-consuming, dangerous casting approach that can take up to two months.  In addition to reducing production times by over 99%, additive manufacturing makes it possible to create intricate geometries that were previously unattainable.  As a result, motors may be produced more quickly, safely, and to suit a variety of weapon systems.

The innovation is not limited to rockets.  Applying Firehawk’s methods to artillery charges opens up new avenues for producing dependable munitions on a large scale. The technology provides a significant advantage in a time when the demand for weapons frequently exceeds the supply.

In order to support its expansion, Firehawk is expanding its operational footprint.  The firm manages design and development from its Dallas headquarters.  It is building a 340-acre production plant in Lawton, Oklahoma, which will be essential to expanding operations.  In the meanwhile, two locations in West Texas, including a 30-square-mile launch range, are used for testing.

Firehawk establishes itself as a vital provider for defense systems used by the United States and its allies by fusing speed, safety, and flexibility.  The most recent funding round demonstrates the rising trust that investors have in defense technology that improve resilience and readiness.  Supported by U.S. venture capital firms and a significant European partner, Firehawk is poised to boost production and advance its technology into practical uses.

Firehawk is changing the foundation of defense manufacturing for the twenty-first century by rethinking the process of making propellant.

Will Edwards, CEO of Firehawk, stated, “The conflict in Ukraine demonstrates that while drones provide warfighters with a decisive edge, munitions like missiles and rockets are the core of combat power.”  “Propellant and energetics production are the biggest constraints on missile, rocket, and artillery manufacturing. A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” The main goal of Firehawk is to enable the European defense industry to swiftly and efficiently produce these weapons as well.  We are pleased to collaborate with CSG and Presto Tech Horizons to support the European energy supply chain and guarantee that our allies can support the manufacture of vital defense hardware.

“Investing in cutting-edge defense technologies is imperative given the current geopolitical climate,” stated Michal Strnad, the board chairman and owner of CSG.  “Firehawk has the potential to be extremely important for the development of both rocket propulsion and ammunition in the future.  The leaders of the European and American defense sectors may work together more effectively thanks to this creative concept.  The parties are already looking into how Firehawk’s technologies might be used in industry.

Scientists and engineers have been investigating 3D printing since the early 2010s as a means of enabling the creation of solid propellants more quickly, safely, and flexibly. The first to actually fulfill that promise is Firehawk. They improve performance while enabling distributed production at scale by fusing previously unattainable sophisticated grain designs with quick manufacturing. Not only does Firehawk’s technology expedite the production of propellants, but it also radically alters the missile and rocket supply chain. Matej Luhovy, a recently hired Partner at Presto Tech Horizons, adding, “That is why this partnership is so important for Europe’s defense resilience.”