Darkhive
About
About Darkhive
Darkhive develops tactical aircraft including Yellowjacket and the larger folding Obelisk multirotor. The company pairs those vehicles with Broodbox command software and autonomy that supports assisted mission execution, sensor use and operation across connected teams. Edge-device management handles configuration, software and health across deployed systems.
The business also provides manufacturing and supply-chain services for US defence programmes, extending from aircraft assembly into domestic brushless-motor production. Darkhive is scaling the portfolio through contracts with the Air Force, Defense Innovation Unit and other Pentagon organisations, including a USD 49.7 million APFIT programme announced in 2026.
Operations
Orders & commitments
- Order / commitment
2026-03-31 - The Pentagon awarded Darkhive a $49.7 million APFIT contract tied to autonomous drone and tactical-edge command-and-control fielding. - Army tactical-edge C2 fielding - tactical-edge C2 program
Source
Supply
Supply chain relationships
- Doodle Labs
Inbound - Communications - Darkhive Obelisk integrates Doodle Labs RM-1700-21M3 and RM-2025-61M3 radios in configuration-dependent mission loadouts
Source
Funding
- 2026-05-07 - Series B - $30M - Darkhive closes USD 30M Series B led by RTX Ventures
Darkhive completed a USD 30 million Series B led by RTX Ventures to expand production and deployment of its autonomous defense systems. - source: darkhive.com
- 2024-09-10 - Series A - $21M - Darkhive raises $21 million Series A led by Ten Eleven Ventures
source: govtech.com
Investors
- Crosslink Capital - Participant - VC - 2 funding events - repeat backer - first seen 2024-09-10 - latest 2026-05-07
- RTX Ventures - Lead - Corporate / CVC - 2 funding events - repeat backer - strategic/corporate - first seen 2024-09-10 - latest 2026-05-07
- Stellar Ventures - Participant - VC - 2 funding events - repeat backer - first seen 2024-09-10 - latest 2026-05-07
- 1011 Ventures - Participant - VC - 1 funding event - first seen 2026-05-07
- Alamo Angels - Participant - Angel / Individual - 1 funding event - first seen 2026-05-07
- Bison Capital - Participant - VC - 1 funding event - first seen 2026-05-07
- Draper Associates - Participant - Angel / Individual - 1 funding event - first seen 2026-05-07
- Ten Eleven Ventures - Lead - VC - 1 funding event - first seen 2024-09-10
Team
- John Goodson - Co-Founder and CEO
Timeline
Events
- 2026-05-07 - Funding - Darkhive closes USD 30M Series B led by RTX Ventures
RTX Ventures led the financing, with participation from Ten Eleven Ventures and Crosslink Capital. Darkhive said the capital would accelerate manufacturing, deployment and development of its autonomous systems and secure communications technologies. The financing followed a USD 21 million Series A announced in 2024.
Source - 2026-03-31 - Contract Award - Darkhive secures $49.7 million APFIT contract for tactical-edge command and control
The Pentagon awarded Darkhive a $49.7 million APFIT contract tied to the Army's Real-Time Command and Control at the Tactical Edge effort Reporting describes the award as support for faster fielding of autonomous drone and tactical-edge command-and-control capabilities The contract marks a step up from earlier prototype-stage work into larger-scale defense procurement
Source - 2024-09-10 - Funding - Darkhive raises $21 million Series A led by Ten Eleven Ventures
Darkhive announced a $21 million Series A to expand drone manufacturing and support defense contract execution The round was led by Ten Eleven Ventures, with participation from Crosslink Capital, RTX Ventures, and Stellar Ventures The company said the capital would support broader product expansion and faster delivery to defense customers
Source - 2023-08-17 - Contract Award - Darkhive awarded $1 million contract by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense
Darkhive received a $1 million contract from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense The announcement positioned the company around affordable US-manufactured uncrewed systems with open hardware and software interfaces The award added to the company's growing set of defense-side development and procurement relationships
Source - 2023-07-06 - Contract Award - Darkhive wins $5 million AFWERX Phase III SBIR contract for advanced drone autonomy
Darkhive won a $5 million Phase III SBIR contract through the US Air Force AFWERX Autonomy Prime program The contract supported advanced drone autonomy work and broader development of the company's tactical uncrewed systems stack Coverage also linked the win to prior defense innovation work, showing continued traction with government buyers
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Pentagon / U.S. Army
Tactical Edge Procurement Customer - Darkhive received a $49.7 million Pentagon APFIT contract for autonomous drone and tactical-edge command-and-control fielding.
Commercial
- Darkhive secures $49.7 million APFIT contract for tactical-edge command and control
2026-03-31 · Order / contract · $49.7M obligated
Source - Darkhive awarded $1 million contract by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense
2023-08-17 · Order / contract · $1M obligated
Source - Darkhive wins $5 million AFWERX Phase III SBIR contract for advanced drone autonomy
2023-07-06 · Order / contract
Source