Austin-based Smack Technologies, which is developing AI decision-making tools for the US military, raised a $61M Series B led by Costanoa and First In (Mike Stone/Reuters)

Smack Technologies secured $61 million in a Series B funding round to bolster its military AI decision-making software. The Austin-based defense startup specializes in accelerating combat planning for units under heavily jammed communications. With backing from prominent venture firms like Costanoa Ventures, First In, Point72 Ventures, and Geodesic Capital, Smack's primary platform, Omega, replaces manual target processing with AI-driven solutions.

Using reinforcement-learning algorithms and real-time computer vision, Omega generates optimal tactical options within minutes, recalculating battle plans in seconds if conditions change or communications break down. Smack is also developing Alpha, a forearm-mounted display for tactical commanders to gain instant situational awareness.

The company plans to field ten to twenty Alpha prototypes in the next six months. The Pentagon's demand for rapid software deployment has accelerated the growth of defense tech startups like Smack, which has increased its team from 19 to 51 employees to meet growing military customer demand. While automating decision-making introduces ethical concerns, Smack maintains human oversight for final decisions.