Defense technology firm Anduril Industries secured $5 billion in Series H funding at a $61 billion valuation, doubling its worth from less than a year ago. The round, led by Andreessen Horowitz and Thrive Capital, brings total capital raised to $11.4 billion. Based in Costa Mesa, California, Anduril develops autonomous systems for military applications and recently signed a $20 billion Army contract.

The funding reflects unprecedented venture capital appetite for defense technology. Through mid-May, defense startups have raised nearly $13.6 billion this year, potentially doubling 2025's record $8.8 billion total. Other major recipients include Shield AI with $2 billion, Saronic at $1.75 billion, and True Anomaly with $600 million. This surge aligns with Trump administration priorities for military modernization.

CEO Brian Schimpf noted that defense investing has fundamentally shifted since Anduril's 2017 founding. Investors now recognize both the technological challenges facing U.S. forces and the commercial opportunities in autonomous weapons and missile defense systems. The company's participation in the $185 billion Golden Dome project illustrates how private capital increasingly funds critical national security infrastructure.