Defense tech startup Anduril Industries has encountered several challenges during testing its autonomous weapons systems, as reported by the WSJ. Issues include over a dozen drone boats that failed during a Navy exercise off the California coast in May, with sailors raising concerns about safety violations and the potential for loss of life. Additionally, a mechanical problem damaged the engine of Anduril’s unmanned jet fighter, Fury, during a ground test this summer. In August, a test of its Anvil counter-drone system resulted in a 22-acre fire in Oregon.
Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, Anduril secured $2.5 billion in funding back in June, reaching a valuation of $30.5 billion, with support from Founders Fund, which helped incubate the company. Anduril has won several military contracts, including projects to develop autonomous aircraft and counter-drone systems.
Aside from testing setbacks, the Journal also noted that Anduril’s experience in Ukraine has faced its own difficulties. Front-line soldiers with Ukraine’s SBU security service reported that Altius loitering drones crashed and failed to hit their targets. The problems were significant enough that Ukrainian forces ceased using the drones in 2024 and have not deployed them since. However, Anduril argues that these challenges are part of the typical weapons development process, asserting that its engineering team is making meaningful progress and that the incidents mentioned do not reflect any fundamental flaws in its technology.
