Mach Industries has signed a contract with the U.S. Army and is preparing to establish its first factory in Huntington Beach, California. The company's founder, 21-year-old Ethan Thornton, stated that the factory will operate on a 115,000-square-foot site. This region is one of the key hubs for defense technology development and is located near major companies like SpaceX.
The company is developing a precision-guided vertical takeoff missile called "Strategic Strike" for the U.S. Army. This project was initiated under a contract signed in the third quarter of 2024, and successful test flights were conducted last month. Instead of large centralized plants, the company plans to build multiple smaller factories. These facilities will handle the entire production process, from raw materials to final assembly. CEO Ethan Thornton stated that this approach will help make the defense industry more resilient and flexible.
The first factory in Huntington Beach is already producing the company's main products. The "Viper" unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of completely vertical takeoff and is 300 times cheaper to produce compared to traditional UAVs. The "Glide" is a bomb launched from the edge of space. This technology enables long-range strikes and makes it more difficult for enemy defense systems to intercept. The company aims to produce 1,000 "Viper" and 3,000 "Glide" units per month in the future.
Mach Industries was founded by Ethan Thornton at the age of 21. While studying at MIT, he decided to drop out at 19 to start his company. He secured his first investment of $5.7 million from Sequoia Capital in June 2023. Later, in October 2023, he received an additional $79 million in funding from Bedrock Capital.
The company is rapidly growing and has already employed dozens of people. Mach Industries is considered one of the most promising startups in the defense technology sector.
