Warhound raises $200M to create genetically engineered military dogs

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

A new startup called Warhound has raised $200 million to genetically engineer dogs for the U.S. military and law enforcement.

A new startup called Warhound emerged from stealth on Thursday, announcing $200 million in funding from investors including In-Q-Tel, Sequoia and 8VC. The company, founded by Palmer Luckey of Anduril and Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences, will genetically engineer dogs for the U.S. military, law enforcement and emergency response teams. The startup is valued at $1.2 billion.

More than 80 per cent of working dogs used by the U.S. military come from Europe, and fewer than half of imported dogs are fit for service. Warhound has collected blood samples from top-performing military, police and first responder dogs in the United States with the goal of cloning them. The initial breeds will be mostly Belgian Malinois, alongside some Labradors and German Shepherds.

The company's first round of genetic engineering will target common health conditions affecting these breeds, particularly hip dysplasia. Lamm told Wired that later rounds may incorporate genes from wolves to enhance the dogs' olfactory abilities. Warhound, based in Texas, anticipates the first puppies will be born in early 2027. The dogs will also be equipped with Anduril's advanced body armor and cybernetic augments, rather than embedded computer systems.

How it is being reported

• Palmer Luckey unveils start-up to breed ‘genetically enhanced’ dogs for militaryAnduril’s co-founder and entrepreneur Ben Lamm conceived of company to clone and genetically edit working caninesFinancial Times · 23 Oct, 00:29
• Warhound raises $200M to engineer war dogs and arm them with Anduril gearWarhound, the brain child of Ben Lamm and Palmer Luckey, emerges from stealth to genetically engineer dogs for military and law enforcement.TechCrunch · 23 Oct, 00:15
• Palmer Luckey Made a Genetically Modified Military Dog StartupWarhound came out of stealth on Wednesday with $200 million in funding and a mission to create "elite working dogs" equipped with "advanced body armor."Wired · 23 Oct, 00:15

In this story: Warhound · Palmer Luckey · Ben Lamm · Anduril · Colossal Biosciences · United States · Europe · Texas

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