Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech Companies in San Diego, United States
The 63 best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Diego, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Shield AI.
Our analysis of 50 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies
$31.9b in tracked funding; 90% of the stack-profiled cohort runs cloud-native; funding activity peaked in 2021.
Ranked: Best Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Diego
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Stage | Founder | Founded | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shield AI 🦄 Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications 93Funding top 9%Product top 18%Talent top 22%Moat top 26% All 12 signals ▾Fundingtop 9% Producttop 18% Talenttop 22% Moattop 26% Markettop 28% Growthtop 29% AItop 30% Innovationtop 32% Techtop 33% Newstop 36% Partnerstop 43% Globaltop 48% Funding: Raised $930M across 16 rounds · 16 rounds over 11 yrs (1.5/yr) Product: 4 distinct product lines · Company stage: Series G rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 93/100 | $930M | 3 mo ago | Series G | Brandon Tseng Co-Founder | 2015 | WordPressApple iCloud MailMySQL+24 | — | 1 partnership |
| 2 | SkySafe Provider of cloud-connected drone detection systems 67Innovation top 28%Growth top 28%Funding top 30%Patents top 30% All 10 signals ▾Innovationtop 28% Growthtop 28% Fundingtop 30% Patentstop 30% Producttop 30% Moattop 32% Techtop 37% Marketbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Newsbottom 22% Innovation: 40 patents (top 36% of patent-holders) · 29 filings since 2022 vs 11 in 2017-21 Growth: Web rank 10,000,000 → 5,000,000 YoY · Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 67/100 | $45M | 17 mo ago | Series B | — | 2015 | Framer SitesSentryZendesk+21 | 40 patents Drone detection, monitoring, and mitigation using edge computing and frequency‑hopping communications | 1 launch · 2 awards |
| 3 | Firestorm Developer of modular, mission-adaptable unmanned aerial systems and manufacturing solutions 53Patents top 27%Talent top 28%Innovation top 31%Funding top 36% All 9 signals ▾Patentstop 27% Talenttop 28% Innovationtop 31% Fundingtop 36% Moattop 38% Growthtop 45% Techtop 49% Globalbottom 42% Marketbottom 33% Patents: 33 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 33 filings since 2022 vs 0 in 2017-21 Talent: 3 named leaders on record · 3 C-suite/founder profiles curated rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 53/100 | $32M | 4 mo ago | Series B | Chad M Co-Founder | 2022 | WebflowApple iCloud MailSplide+13 | 33 patents Modular, additively‑manufactured UAV airframe structures and rapid in‑field assembly systems. | 4 job openings |
| 4 | GovX Exclusive members-only online retailer for people who served the country | $30M | 116 mo ago | Series B | — | 2011 | Cart FunctionalityApple iCloud MailMicrosoft 365+23 | — | — |
| 5 | Citadel Defense Provider of an AI-powered automated drone defense system | $14M | 99 mo ago | Acquired | Daniel Magy Founder & CEO | 2016 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Seasats Manufacturer of unmanned surface vehicles for sea inspection 48Funding top 33%Growth top 35%Tech top 37%Talent top 38% All 8 signals ▾Fundingtop 33% Growthtop 35% Techtop 37% Talenttop 38% Moattop 39% Newsbottom 48% Globalbottom 37% Marketbottom 29% Funding: Raised $11.0M across 5 rounds · 5 rounds over 4 yrs (1.2/yr) Growth: Fresh capital in last 24 mo rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 48/100 | $11M | 5 mo ago | Series A | Michael Flanigan Co-Founder & CEO | 2020 | WordPressMySQLPHP+22 | — | 1 partnership · 1 expansion |
| 7 | SlantRange Online slot gaming platform offering trusted and easy login services | $6M | 96 mo ago | Acquired | — | 2013 | — | 28 patents Aerial imaging calibration and analytics for precision agriculture and geospatial data processing. | — |
| 8 | Ocean Aero Provider of an AUV for surface and subsurface monitoring applications | $4M | 5 mo ago | Series D | Kevin Decker CEO | 2012 | Cart FunctionalitySquarespace CommerceSquarespace+15 | 24 patents Advanced autonomous marine navigation and adaptive propulsion/wing systems for vessels | — |
| 9 | Malin Space Science Systems Developer of cameras and camera systems for space solutions | $4M | 99 mo ago | Funding Raised | Michael Malin Founder | 1990 | PHPApache HTTP ServerjQuery+2 | — | — |
| 10 | Planck Aerosystems Modular UAS for maritime industries | $2M | 99 mo ago | Acqui-Hired | Gaemus Collins Co-Founder & CTO | 2014 | — | 22 patents Autonomous UAV delivery, tethered power, in‑flight charging, and navigation systems | — |
| 11 | SubSeaSail Manufacturer of autonomous semi-submersible systems | $2M | 51 mo ago | Funding Raised | — | 2017 | Cart FunctionalitySquarespace CommerceSquarespace+19 | 40 patents Patents concentrated in transport & manufacturing processes | 1 job opening |
| 12 | AIRSIS Cloud-based remote asset tracking and management software solution for maritime industry | $1M | — | Acqui-Hired | — | 1995 | — | 8 patents Extracting and analyzing maritime communication data for business intelligence | — |
| 13 | Skeyeon Developer of earth monitoring satellite constellation and related imaging technology | $825K | 87 mo ago | Seed | Jackie Townsend Co-Founder | 2015 | — | 39 patents Low‑Earth‑orbit remote sensing satellites with high‑rate RF downlink and AO‑resistant coatings | — |
| 14 | Leadinius SaaS based Asset Management Tool | $687K | 156 mo ago | Deadpooled | Pascal Wiscour Conter Founder & CEO | 2011 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Additive Rocket Corporation Manufacturer of 3D-printed propulsion systems for rockets | $300K | 108 mo ago | Deadpooled | Andy Kieatiwong Co-Founder & CEO | 2015 | — | 33 patents Additive manufacturing of advanced heat exchangers, combustion engines, and fluid flow components for aerospace propulsion | — |
| 16 | ChangeAerial Provides tools and services for using aerial pictures in automated change detection analyses | $275K | 23 mo ago | Funding Raised | Andrea Sotgiu Co-Founder | 2020 | — | — | — |
| 17 | SICdrone Manufacturer of multi-utility drones | $120K | 96 mo ago | Seed | Dan Bosch CEO | 2015 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Inova Drone High-performance industrial UAVs delivering unprecedented performance, endurance, and reliability | $120K | 132 mo ago | Seed | Carlos Juvera Founder | 2014 | Cart FunctionalitySquarespace CommerceSquarespace+14 | — | — |
Top 12 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech companies in San Diego
#1
Series G · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 364 employees$930.2Mraised▾
Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications. The company provides solutions for mission autonomy, surveillance, and object detection. Its offerings include autonomous pilot software, command and control toolkits, and autonomy development platforms. It also manufactures unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
- Mar 2026Series G$2B
- Feb 2025Series F$591.8M
- Dec 2023Series F$100M
- Dec 2023Venture Debt$200M
#2
Series B · San Diego, California · founded 2022 · 22 employees$32.5Mraised▾
Developer of modular, mission-adaptable unmanned aerial systems and manufacturing solutions. The company provides adaptable aerial vehicles and aims to reduce total ownership costs through digital efficiencies. It offers manufacturing cells for unmanned aerial systems, spare parts, and polymer needs. The company's systems feature open architecture, extending modularity to the airframe.
- Feb 2026Series B$82M
- Jul 2025Series A$35M
- Jul 2025Venture Debt$12M
- Jun 2025Series A$10M
#3
Series A · San Diego, California · founded 2020 · 20 employees$11Mraised▾
Manufacturer of unmanned surface vehicles for sea inspection. It develops solar-powered autonomous vehicles that can be equipped with sensors, security cameras, and communication systems. Its features include pan and tilt cameras, dolphin friendliness, and remote management.
- Jan 2026Series A$20M
- Feb 2025Series A$10M
- Dec 2024Series A$9.1M
- Sep 2022Series A$10M
#4
Series D · San Diego, California · founded 2012 · 50 employees$4Mraised▾
Provider of an AUV for surface and subsurface monitoring applications. The vehicle is self-powered by solar rechargeable lithium batteries and can carry payloads. It is compatible with sensors for weather, dissolved oxygen, acoustic modems, magnetometer, directional drilling, satellite communications, seismic survey, and hydrocarbon detection. It can serve as persistent ISR and cross-communication gateway for critical air, surface, and subsurface applications.
- Jan 2026Series D—
- Sep 2022Series C$4M
- Jul 2021Series C—
- Aug 2018Series B—
#5
Series B · San Diego, California · founded 2015 · 47 employees$45Mraised▾
Provider of cloud-connected drone detection systems. It has developed airspace security solutions to detect unwanted drones. It offers airspace security with detailed event history (reference for future legal proceedings, if any) and real-time notifications. The security system can take control of a drone without using jamming technology and can safely land it.
- Jan 2025Series B$4M
- Dec 2021Series B$30M
- Jul 2017Series A$11.6M
- Oct 2016Seed$3.4M
#6
Funding Raised · San Diego, California · founded 2020$274.7Kraised▾
Provides tools and services for using aerial pictures in automated change detection analyses. Starting with drone mission flight planning and concluding with damage and wear reporting, they offer an end-to-end solution supported by software tools. The software can enhance image acquisition and inspection using AI technology .
- Jul 2024Grant (prize money)$274.7K
#7
Series B · San Diego, California · founded 2011 · 95 employees$29.9Mraised▾
GovX is an exclusive members-only online retailer for people who served the country including current and former military, local, state and federal government employees like Fire officers, First responders, Law enforcement personnel etc. Members can shop for apparel, accessories, tactical gear, electronics, travel & outdoor products, and home goods etc. Along with the above products, they also provide event tickets and travel-related bookings like accommodation, transport etc. They claim to provide discounts for the members through negotiation with the vendors.
- Oct 2016Series B$3.7M
- Jan 2016Series B$3.1M
- Aug 2015Series B$11.5M
- Jan 2015Series A$3.7M
#8
Acquired · San Diego, California · founded 2016 · 31 employees$13.8Mraised▾
Citadel Defense provides an AI and ML-based counter-drone defense system operated across 13 different countries. The C-sUAS solution detects, identifies, tracks, and safely defeats individual drone threats and swarms. The Titan system requires no signal expertise or training to operate and autonomously escalates to any threat scenario without imposing a burden on the operator. Through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, Deepfake algorithms, adaptive frequency jamming, and robotics, Citadel Defense has developed a low-cost counter-drone solution. Safe drone defense trusted by military, government, commercial critical infrastructure, and international customers.
- Feb 2018Series A$12M
- Aug 2017Series A$12M
- Apr 2017Seed$1.8M
- Nov 2016Seed—
#9
Acquired · San Diego, California · founded 2013 · 13 employees$5.8Mraised▾
Online slot gaming platform offering trusted and easy login services. This platform provides a variety of online slot games, focusing on user-friendly access and secure transactions. It emphasizes a gaming experience with features like quick logins and reliable gameplay. The platform aims to provide a trusted environment for players to enjoy slot games, with a commitment to fair play. It offers a range of slot options and strives to create an engaging and accessible online gaming experience. The platform includes features such as account settings, secure payment options, and customer support. It also uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and ensure secure transactions.
- 2018Series B—
- Apr 2016Series A$5M
- Feb 2015Seed$200K
- Mar 2014Seed$600K
#10
Funding Raised · San Diego, California · founded 2017 · 8 employees$1.6Mraised▾
SubSeaSail is a manufacturer of autonomous semi-submersible systems. It uses autonomous waypoint navigation and keeping zones. It can be used in cargo delivery and pre-positioning of goods communications gateway defense and military, Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUU), sensor platform, unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) delivery and charging station. It owns patent-pending related to the design and manufacture of wind-propelled and solar-powered unmanned, semi-submersible vehicles (USSVs). It has partnered with TMA Bluetech, Xylem, Profinanace associates, ocean Nautical Innovations, and Channel Islands.
- Mar 2022Grant (prize money)$255.9K
- Jun 2021Grant (prize money)$1.4M
#11
Funding Raised · San Diego, California · founded 1990 · 88 employees$3.7Mraised▾
Developer of cameras and camera systems for space solutions. It provides users with satellite-based imaging data with the help of its own fleet of satellites. Its features include camera design, instrumental operations, system management, and modular space camera manufacturing.
- Mar 2018Grant (prize money)$3.5M
- Dec 2014Grant (prize money)$194K
#12
Acqui-Hired · San Diego, California · founded 2014 · 12 employees$1.6Mraised▾
Planck Aerosystems delivers fully autonomous unmanned aerial systems for maritime applications, such as commercial and industrial fishing, as well as situational awareness, security, counter-piracy, and search & rescue. Provides a vessel-based, fully autonomous drone system for commercial and industrial fishing operations offering aerial imagery and automatic object detection, resulting in a massive reduction of fuel consumption for fishing vessels of all sizes.
- Mar 2018Grant (prize money)$1.4M
- Jan 2017Grant (prize money)$224.9K
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Tech coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
How research on Launch Vehicles is moving in the United States
A read on the academic research around Launch Vehicles — which themes are gaining ground, the institutions and researchers driving them, and how the tone is shifting. Based on 1,518 United States-affiliated papers.
- Marshall Space Flight Center339
- Langley Research Center111
- Jacobs77
- Purdue University West Lafayette61
- Ames Research Center61
- Detonation1→8
- Trajectory2→6
- Rocket (weapon)16→20
- Combustor1→4
- Propellant13→14
- Detonation10→40
- Propulsion26→34
- Liquid-propellant rocket20→28
- Combustor10→15
- Combustion11→16
- Detonation2→11
- Rocket (weapon)20→21
- Rocket engine12→13
Where launch vehicles is researched across United States
Location clusters by institution affiliation — each city's volume, stance tone, and a quick read on its hot topic, what's advancing, the opening opportunity, and the main concern.
Who's filing launch vehicles patents in the United States
United States launch vehicles patent filing is accelerating — 333 filings from 249 assignees (2016–2025), led by Boeing, BLUE Origin, United Technologies; annual filings 29→46.
- Boeing47
- BLUE Origin44
- United Technologies33
- Venus Aerospace25
- 8 Rivers Capital19
- Aerojet Rocketdyne15
- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne13
- Aerojet General13
Common questions
Rohit lives in the feed. He covers what's moving right now — the funding rounds, launches and shifts breaking across the trade press — and ties them back to where the sector is heading.