HavocAI

HavocAI is a Rhode Island-based defense technology company building autonomous surface vessels and a collaborative autonomy software stack that lets a single operator command many uncrewed maritime systems.

HavocAI was founded in 2024 by Paul Lwin and co-founders, entering the fast-growing maritime autonomy segment of the broader defense technology industry at a moment when the U.S. Navy and allied militaries had signaled strong interest in "distributed maritime operations," a strategic concept involving large numbers of smaller, less expensive, and in some cases fully uncrewed vessels operating together, rather than relying primarily on a smaller number of very expensive, exquisite manned warships, an approach intended to be more resilient, harder for an adversary to eliminate entirely, and significantly less costly to produce and field at scale. HavocAI's core technology is a "collaborative autonomy" software stack, designed to be hardware-agnostic so it can run on autonomous surface vessels ranging from small 14-foot boats up through much larger 100-foot and even 200-foot vessels, letting a single human operator supervise and coordinate potentially many autonomous vessels simultaneously across a range of mission types, including surveillance, force protection, and logistics support, rather than requiring a dedicated operator for each individual vessel the way many earlier uncrewed vehicle programs have. The company has moved unusually quickly from its 2024 founding to delivering more than 30 fully operational vessels to U.S. military customers, and has demonstrated its technology operating in GPS-denied environments, an important capability given adversaries' growing use of electronic warfare and GPS jamming, including demonstrations conducted for Ukrainian officials given that country's extensive real-world experience countering exactly these kinds of electronic warfare threats in its own conflict. HavocAI has formed a significant strategic partnership with Hanwha, a major South Korean and U.S. shipbuilding conglomerate, to jointly develop a 200-foot autonomous surface vessel for potential production at Hanwha's Philadelphia shipyard, positioning HavocAI's software-first approach alongside Hanwha's manufacturing scale, though as of the partnership's announcement the underlying agreements remained non-binding memoranda of understanding rather than funded production contracts. The company has raised roughly $96 million in funding from investors including In-Q-Tel and Lockheed Martin Ventures.

News

10/29/2026

HavocAI Partners with CSBC for MATURE Taiwan 2026

HavocAI collaborates with CSBC Corporation to showcase autonomous maritime technology, enhancing Taiwan's maritime security while ensuring a supply chain free of Chinese components.

Yahoo Finance

10/12/2026

Havoc AI Secures SBIR Phase III Contract for Logistics Software

This contract enables Havoc AI to enhance its collaborative autonomy software for military logistics, allowing federal agencies to leverage its advanced technology.

PR Newswire

7/10/2026

Havoc AI Recognized in Newsweek's America's Greatest Startup Workplaces 2026

Havoc AI's strong workplace culture and rapid growth since its 2024 founding earn it a spot in Newsweek's prestigious list, highlighting its expansion to over 200 employees.

PR Newswire

7/8/2026

B Capital Raises $500 Million for Early-Stage Startups, Including Havoc AI

B Capital's $500 million Ascent Fund III targets early-stage startups, with a focus on leveraging AI to transform industries, including investments in Havoc AI.

Forbes

6/23/2026

HavocAI Showcases Autonomous Systems at RIMPAC 2026

HavocAI demonstrates its autonomous logistics capabilities at RIMPAC 2026, highlighting advancements in collaborative autonomy and operational efficiency alongside U.S. and allied forces.

PR Newswire