Allen Control Systems raises $200 million for its Bullfrog counter-drone gun
Allen Control Systems raised $200M at a $2.2B valuation to scale Bullfrog, an AI-aimed gun turret that shoots drones down with machine-gun rounds instead of missiles.
Allen Control Systems raised $200M at a $2.2B valuation to scale Bullfrog, an AI-aimed gun turret that shoots drones down with machine-gun rounds instead of missiles.
Allen Control Systems raised a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion post-money valuation to scale its Bullfrog counter-drone turret, Defense Daily reported Friday. Smash Capital led the round, with Craft Ventures, Rally Ventures and Inspired Capital returning, the Austin company said.
Bullfrog is an autonomous weapon station built around the M240 machine gun, according to the company. It pairs AI, computer vision and precision robotics to run the kill chain against drones up to Group 3. Machine-gun rounds against a $500 quadcopter cost a fraction of a Patriot interceptor priced in the millions, which is the cost argument behind the round.
Drones now saturate the fight in Ukraine and the Red Sea, and missile magazines empty faster than they refill. CEO Mike Wior said Bullfrog leans on "our nearly unlimited supply of bullets all over the world, compared to scarce and expensive missiles and interceptors."
ACS holds more than $120 million in U.S. government contracts for Bullfrog variants, Axios reported. The turret runs through Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the Pentagon's counter-drone office, and is deployed with the Army and Navy. The company reported a 100 percent hit rate at the T-REX 26-1 test event, though Inside Defense noted the test's parameters were not disclosed.
The Army has bought 12 Bullfrog turrets since the outbreak of war in Iran, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters at the Pentagon last month, citing the "50-cent round" the turret fires at Iranian Shahed drones.
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Subscribe Free →ACS is widening the platform past the gun, fitting lasers and sensors as alternate effectors, per Axios. Founded in 2024, the company stacked the $200 million on top of a $12 million seed and a $30 million Series A. Wior said the new money funds an Austin line ACS has tripled to 57,000 square feet to field turrets faster as drone attacks scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Allen Control Systems raise, and at what valuation?
ACS raised a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion post-money valuation, according to Defense Daily and the company's announcement. The round was led by Smash Capital, with Craft Ventures, Rally Ventures and Inspired Capital among the returning investors.
What is Bullfrog?
Bullfrog is an autonomous weapon station built around the M240 machine gun, the company said. It combines AI, computer vision and precision robotics to detect, track and shoot down drones up to the Group 3 class.
Why use a gun instead of a missile against drones?
Cost. CEO Mike Wior said Bullfrog leans on a "nearly unlimited supply of bullets" rather than "scarce and expensive missiles and interceptors." Inside Defense reported that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll cited the "50-cent round" the turret fires at Iranian Shahed drones, versus interceptors that can cost six or seven figures.
Is Bullfrog already in service?
Yes. ACS said Bullfrog is deployed with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy and runs through Joint Interagency Task Force 401. Inside Defense reported the Army has bought 12 turrets since the outbreak of war in Iran. Axios reported ACS holds more than $120 million in U.S. government contracts.
How does this differ from other counter-drone news this week?
This is a funding round for a gun-based, kinetic counter-drone system. It is distinct from DroneShield's recent JIATF-401 contract and Lockheed Martin's JAGM counter-drone test, which BattlePolicy covered separately on June 3.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.