Warhound Raises $200M To Engineer War Dogs

Warhound, a new company founded by Colossal Biosciences' Ben Lamm and Anduril's Palmer Luckey, has emerged from stealth with $200 million in funding from investors including Sequoia, 8VC, and In-Q-Tel, according to TechCrunch. The funding values the company at $1.2 billion. Warhound plans to genetically engineer war dogs for the US military, law enforcement, and other emergency response teams.

The idea for Warhound was born out of a conversation between Lamm and Luckey at a conference, where Luckey expressed the need for better support for the military's working dogs. Lamm researched the breeding process for working dogs and found that many do not make it through training due to inherited health problems. He believes that genetic engineering can enhance the health, longevity, and performance of these dogs.

Warhound's dogs will be designed to take on tasks that are dangerous for humans or difficult for machines, such as bomb detection and searches. The company aims to address the dwindling supply of working dogs, with over 80% of the US military's working dogs coming from Europe and less than half being fit for service. Anduril will provide software and hardware to assist the dogs and their handlers.

Lamm's team has studied top-performing working dog breeds, taking cell lines from them and putting them in a biobank. From there, the team will edit the dogs' genes to add desirable traits and remove undesirable ones, creating a new type of dog. The goal is to make the dogs safer, healthier, and more effective in their roles.

Anduril's contributions will include protection vests and goggles with data sensors, allowing handlers to better understand what is happening in the field. Lamm believes that these enhancements will not only improve the dogs' performance but also better protect their human handlers. The company is working with the American Humane Society to certify its training program and ensure the welfare of the dogs.

The first batch of dogs is expected to be cloned and incubated soon, with births anticipated early next year and service beginning within two years. Warhound plans to sell the dogs to first responders, the Department of Defense, and other groups, although pricing has not been determined. The company has briefed government groups about its plans and is working to address concerns about civilian safety and the potential risks associated with genetically enhanced dogs.

Warhound's efforts are part of a broader trend in the use of technology to enhance animal performance and welfare. Colossal Biosciences, Lamm's other company, is known for its de-extinction efforts and is using AI and gene cloning to bring back extinct species. The success of Warhound's mission could have significant implications for the future of animal enhancement and the use of technology in conservation and defense.