Forterra builds scalable, robust, mission-critical hardware and software for defense and logistics. |Source: Fortera
Investors are pouring more money into military robots. Fortera raised $238 million in Series C equity and debt last week. The company said it plans to use the funding to support continued innovation in communications, command and control systems. Forterra also plans to increase production capacity for edge computing platforms serving defense and emerging mission areas.
“Autonomous systems are an operational imperative,” said Josh Araujo, CEO of Forterra. “This funding will propel Forterra’s mission to become the connective tissue of modern operations. Our interoperable mission modules and autonomous stacks enable a new generation of platforms to move, sense, and operate without restriction.”
Forterra provides autonomous operating systems for complex, high-stakes environments. This includes self-driving systems, coordinated swarms of drones, and more. The Clarksburg, Maryland-based company claimed its technology is scalable and robust and can act as a “force multiplier that extends range, survivability, and effectiveness across battlefield and industrial applications.”
“As a nation, we must prioritize logistics resiliency and focus on deploying combat-enhancing technologies to ensure our more capable and agile forces maintain a decisive advantage,” Fortera said. “What is needed is a new class of cognitive mission systems: autonomous, interoperable, and intelligent platforms.”
Forterra provides autonomy and communication
Forterra’s product portfolio includes AutoDrive, TerraLink, Vektor, Oasis and goTenna. AutoDrive is an autonomous driving system that works on roads, in remote areas, and on battlefield terrain.
TerraLink is a modular platform that monitors vehicles in real time and makes it easy to track, adjust, and adapt mission plans.
The company, founded in 2002 as Robotic Research, described Vektor as an edge-deployed software-defined communications and smart data brokering layer. It is designed for operation in disrupted, degraded, intermittent, low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments.
Oasis is Forterra’s end-to-end ontology platform that enables the company’s products to communicate with third-party software and hardware.
Finally, goTenna provides lightweight, interoperable mesh networking devices, fixed relay infrastructure, and software for secure off-grid connectivity for military, law enforcement, and public safety operations, according to Forterra.
“Autonomy is no longer optional; it is an operational imperative.” “This funding accelerates our mission to be the connective tissue of modern operations. Our autonomous stack and interoperable mission modules already enable fleets to move, sense, and act without restriction.”
Company gains momentum with contract
Moore Strategic Ventures led Forterra’s Series C funding. The round included participation from existing investors XYZ Venture Capital, Hedosophia, and Enlightenment Capital, as well as new investors including Salesforce Ventures, Franklin Templeton, Balyasny Asset Management, 645 Ventures, Hanwha Asset Management, 9Yards Capital, and NightDragon.
Crescent Cove has doubled down on its investment in Fortera, providing both equity and debt, demonstrating continued support since its Series A in 2021. The company is currently valued at $1 billion, according to Bloomberg.
This funding round comes on the heels of a series of contract wins for Forterra, including:
- Signs first ground autonomous production contract for ROGUE Fires unmanned vehicle with U.S. Marine Corps
- $114 million prime contract to introduce autonomous breakthrough systems to the U.S. military
- Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) for the Army’s GEARS Pallet Loading Systems Program
- $4.8 million contract for the Army’s Unmanned Systems (UxS) program for autonomous infantry squad vehicles (ISVs)
“Forterra has successfully delivered both the hardware and operating system needed for future autonomous ground operations,” said Robert Keith, Partner at Salesforce Ventures. “They are one of the few major defense technology companies to win a contract with an influential program of record.”
Last month, the company announced the expansion of its product suite and acquisition of mobile mesh network company goTenna. We also partner with Volvo Defense, BAE Systems, CHAOS Industries, and Raytheon for RTX.
“Forterra’s momentum across contracts, partnerships and new capabilities shows that interoperable autonomy can be achieved at scale,” said James Cross, Managing Director at Franklin Templeton.
