Mach Industries, a Huntington Beach defense technology startup led by CEO Ethan Thornton, is valued at $1.8 billion following a new funding round. Multiple outlets report that the company raises $300 million in a Series C, representing roughly a fourfold increase from its valuation in mid-2025. The funding is described as supporting an expansion of production and development tied to autonomous defense systems, including autonomous aircraft and strike-related technologies. Bloomberg reports the company plans to ramp up output of autonomous aircraft, strike systems, and other equipment for the Pentagon and allied forces. TechCrunch and The Next Web add that Mach Industries is developing multiple autonomous vehicles and that it has completed a major acquisition as part of its growth. Inc. frames the round in the context of the Pentagon’s broader emphasis on drone-related “dominance” and faster scaling in defense tech. Across the coverage, the agreed-upon points are the $300 million Series C, the resulting $1.8 billion valuation, and the stated goal of scaling autonomous defense capabilities for U.S. and allied customers.