Firehawk Defense Valued at $1.4 Billion in $150 Million Round Backed by Trump Jr.

Firehawk Defense, a Dallas-based rocket motor startup backed by Donald Trump Jr., was valued at more than $1.4 billion in a new $150 million financing round announced Wednesday, as private capital targets shortages in tactical munitions. Advent International and Kyle Bass' Rochefort Asset Management co-led the round; prior investors include Trump Jr.-backed venture firm 1789 Capital. Firehawk expects to become the largest U.S. producer of artillery motors and the third-largest producer of rocket propellant by weight by the end of 2027, challenging the L3Harris-Northrop Grumman duopoly. The company uses a continuous thermoplastic process that molds propellant into motor fuel cores within hours, versus weeks for legacy suppliers, focusing on small-diameter munitions under 13 inches such as 155mm base-bleed motors and Hydra-70 rockets. Capital will expand its 320-acre Lawton, Oklahoma site and a Crawford, Mississippi facility. Firehawk plans to produce over 100,000 artillery motors next year under a commercial agreement with General Dynamics, starting with allied nations while pursuing a 12-to-18-month U.S. Army qualification.