Mach Industries Wins US Army Contract - Weapons Factory Build

Mach Industries Secures U.S. Army Contract and Announces First Manufacturing Facility

Mach Industries, a defense technology company founded by 21-year-old Ethan Thornton and backed by Sequoia, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army. The company also revealed its plans to establish its inaugural factory, as reported to TechCrunch.

New Factory Location and Industry Trend

The planned facility will encompass 115,000 square feet and will be situated in Huntington Beach, California, the current location of Mach’s corporate headquarters. Despite the potentially high costs associated with this location, Southern California is rapidly becoming a significant center for the expanding American defense technology sector, benefiting from its proximity to companies like SpaceX.

Strategic Strike Missile Development

Mach Industries has been chosen by the Army Applications Laboratory to engineer a precision cruise missile capable of vertical takeoff, designated “Strategic Strike.” This developmental agreement was finalized during the third quarter of 2024.

Successful Flight Tests Prompt Announcement

Ethan Thornton explained to TechCrunch that the timing of this announcement coincides with the successful completion of initial flight tests for the technology last month.

Decentralized Manufacturing Approach

The factory, internally referred to as Forge 1, represents a move towards a more innovative manufacturing model for defense technologies, mirroring strategies employed by companies such as Anduril. Mach intends to construct a network of numerous “decentralized” factories.

“Our strategy involves establishing many smaller factories rather than relying on highly centralized facilities, bolstering the resilience of the defense industrial base,” Thornton stated. These facilities will be equipped to handle the entire production process, from raw materials to final product assembly.

Global Expansion Plans

Beyond locations within the United States, the company anticipates establishing facilities internationally.

Current Production Capabilities

The Huntington Beach factory is currently producing the company’s two primary products: Glide, a precision-guided weapon, and Viper, a super-light jet-powered vertical takeoff and landing UAV. Viper is notable for its ability to take off vertically without the need for runways, and Mach claims its production cost is significantly lower – up to 300 times less – than that of conventional UAVs.

Viper's Decentralized Manufacturing Advantages

“Viper’s design lends itself to manufacturing within this decentralized network of factories, which is a substantial advantage. It doesn’t necessitate specialized tooling, meaning that production can be rapidly scaled up without dependence on centralized locations,” Thornton elaborated.

Glide: A High-Altitude Weapon System

Glide is a bomb launched from a vehicle operating at the edge of space. This deployment method is designed to maximize its range – Mach asserts it will possess effectively unlimited range for targeting anywhere globally – and enhance its survivability against interception.

Projected Production Capacity

Thornton projects that the initial factory will eventually be capable of producing 1,000 Vipers and 3,000 Glides each month.

Mach Industries: A Teen Entrepreneur's Rise and $85 Million Funding

Mach Industries has quickly become a prominent name in the defense technology sector, largely due to its backing from Sequoia Capital and the remarkably young age of its founder, Thornton.

Thornton established the company while still a teenager, initiating his venture at the age of 19 after leaving MIT. This led to securing investment from Sequoia’s Stephanie Zhan and Shaun Maguire.

In June 2023, Mach Industries announced a $5.7 million seed funding round spearheaded by these investors. Further bolstering the company’s financial standing, a $79 million Series A round followed in October 2023, led by Geoff Lewis, founder of Bedrock Capital.

Early Beginnings and Company Genesis

Although a number of founders in the defense tech space are relatively young – such as Palmer Luckey, who founded Anduril in his mid-20s – Thornton’s inspiration for Mach Industries originated during his high school years.

He initially funded the company’s development by operating a workshop focused on wood and metal fabrication. This allowed for the creation of initial product prototypes. Subsequently, he made the decision to leave MIT, even prior to securing substantial capital or assembling a dedicated team.

Current Status and Industry Recognition

Mach Industries has since evolved into a highly regarded company within the defense technology landscape. Its reputation is evidenced by its association with Peterson Conway, a well-known former recruiter from Palantir.

Currently, the company employs a growing team of professionals.

Note: The company requested an update to the description of one of its products, which has been incorporated into this article.