US defence technology startup Stellios Technologies has announced an oversubscribed USD 5 million pre-seed funding round to develop high-power microwave systems for counter-drone and other directed-energy applications.
The Austin-based company said it secured USD 2 million in signed customer purchase orders before raising external capital. The new funding will support delivery of its initial contracted systems, the establishment of US-based research and development and pilot manufacturing facilities, and expansion of its engineering team.
Stellios aims to offer megawatt-class high-power microwave systems designed to counter drones and electronic threats. The company is currently developing the underlying hardware, including vacuum-electronic devices and high-voltage power generation, conditioning and control systems. The intention is to combine these with modern power electronics, software-defined controls and AI-based engineering to reduce system size, development time and cost.
Founded in 2026 by Dr Richard Starson, Stellios is also researching compact aneutronic fusion and advanced propulsion. The company intends to apply technologies developed for its microwave systems to future energy and propulsion applications, including power for remote military bases and hypersonic flight.
For more information
Image: Stellios Genesis AI-powered engineering platform (Stellios Technologies)
The September issue of the 2026 Unmanned Airspace Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory is now available. The guide is the world’s only comprehensive, continually updated directory of global C-UAS companies and systems. It itemises over 1,000 C-UAS products and services with performance details, company sales and partnerships arrangements. It is updated every month and broken down into niche sub-sectors (net-capture, missiles, intercept drones, detectors etc) to give C-UAS procurement and industry personnel a unique perspective of global C-UAS technical capabilities and market positions. It is available in word, PDF and excel formats and Unmanned Airspace readers are eligible for a range of discounts. For more information about the Directory please contact the editor Philip Butterworth-Hayes at philip@unmannedairspace.info.