Warhound Raises Funds for Military Dogs

Warhound, a newly formed startup, has secured two hundred million dollars to begin engineering dogs for the United States military. The company intends to pair these animals with advanced protective gear. This venture is a joint effort involving Ben Lamm of Colossal Biosciences and Palmer Luckey of Anduril. The funding will support the initial phases of genetic modification and equipment development.

Lamm confirmed to Wired that the team has already started editing the genes of cell samples. These samples were taken from a first group of donor dogs. The donors were top-performing animals from military, police, and first responder units across the country. Most were Belgian Malinois, with some labradors and shepherds included in the mix. Scientists at Colossal will modify the animals' genes before cloning them.

The initial research focuses on reducing the likelihood of common breed-related health issues. These include hip dysplasia and specific types of cancer. Lamm suggested to TechCrunch that further enhancements could follow in later stages. Additional genetic changes might make the animals faster and more agile. They could also sharpen their sense of smell for better detection work.

Both founders have high-profile backgrounds in technology and science. Luckey founded Oculus VR and designed the Oculus Rift headset. His defense firm, Anduril, partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to develop artificial intelligence for the Pentagon. More recently, it won a US Army contract to build the next-generation battlefield intelligence system alongside Palantir. Lamm's Colossal Biosciences is known for de-extinction efforts, including reviving the dire wolf and seeking to bring back the woolly mammoth.

Anduril's role in Warhound is focused on equipment rather than biology. The company does not appear to be planning cyborg dogs at this time. Instead, Anduril will design tools and the software that runs them. These tools are intended to protect the animals while they work. Examples include goggles, vests, and body armor.

The ownership structure is distinct from the public profile of the partnership. Luckey is a partner in the business, but neither he nor Anduril holds a stake in the startup. Colossal Biosciences does have equity in the company. Lamm sits on the board of directors. David Spirk, who most recently worked at Palantir, serves as the CEO.

Warhound expects the first batch of genetically engineered dogs to be born in early 2027. These animals will be trained for jobs that working dogs already perform. This includes detecting bombs and assisting in search-and-rescue operations. The goal is to create a more durable and effective workforce for defense and emergency services.