Rhode Island-based defense startup HavocAI has secured $85 million in new funding to scale up production of its unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and strengthen partnerships with the US military and allied countries.
This latest round brings the company’s total capital to nearly $100 million since its founding in early 2024, alongside a workforce that has grown to about 80 employees.
The investment was led by B Capital, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin, Hanwha, Taiwania Capital, Vanderbilt University, Up Partners, Island Green Capital, and Zero Infinity Partners, with continued backing from Scout Ventures and Outlander Ventures.
HavocAI transforms commercial boats into USVs using its proprietary AI-powered control system that enables autonomous navigation and coordinated mission execution with minimal human input. It also manufactures its own USV models, which drew attention during the US Navy’s “Silent Swarm” trials, leading to a purchase of 12 units — including the 14-foot Rampage USV priced at about $100,000 each.
The company currently maintains contracts with the US Army, Navy, and Defense Innovation Unit and is testing larger autonomous craft in Rhode Island, including the 38-foot Seahound, 42-foot Kaikoa, and 100-foot Atlas.
Collaborations include Louisiana-based Metal Shark, which plans to embed HavocAI’s autonomy software into its surface platforms, and Lockheed Martin, which is co-developing medium USVs for naval defense. Despite China’s sanctions on several US firms supplying Taiwan, HavocAI continues to grow as autonomous systems gain wider adoption across US and allied defense forces.
