Cambridge Aerospace

Headquarters

Cambridge, England, UK

Founded

2024

Employees

~125

Total funding

$136M (3 rounds through 2025)

Stage

Growth

Status

active

Domains

Counter-UAS, Interceptor missiles, Air defense

• FounderSteven BarrettFounded Cambridge Aerospace in late 2024. Regius Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge (appointed effective June 2024); previously head of MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2010-2024), known for research on electroaerodynamic ('silent') aircraft. Cambridge undergraduate and PhD alumnus.
• FounderChris SylvanCo-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Cambridge Aerospace, appointed a company director in March 2025. Previously a director of European/Middle East/Africa business development at Anduril Industries.
• FounderGrant ShappsChair of Cambridge Aerospace, a role requiring ACOBA (Advisory Committee on Business Appointments) sign-off given his prior tenure as UK Secretary of State for Defence. His appointment drew government-watchdog scrutiny after Cambridge Aerospace secured a UK MoD interceptor contract in April 2026, which critics argued was in tension with the civilian-only conditions of his ACOBA approval.
• FounderJunaid HussainFounder of Auctor Group (which incubated Cambridge Aerospace) and co-founder of defense AI startup Agon.

• FundD3 VCEarly-stage venture fund focused on Ukrainian and allied defense technology (drones, EW, autonomy, sensors, AI); launched 2023 by Eveline Buchatskiy, Anton Verkhovodov, and Elya Chiechienieva, backed by investors including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Participated in Uforce's $50M seed round and Cambridge Aerospace's ~$130M raised to date.
• FundNever LiftVenture capital firm led by Charlie March; an early investor in Cambridge Aerospace, participating across all three of its funding rounds through 2025.
• FundAccelGlobal VC firm with growing defense and national security investment focus.
• FundLakestarPan-European VC backing visionary tech entrepreneurs from seed to scale.
• FundLux CapitalScience and tech VC with deep defense portfolio, early Anduril backer.
• FundSpark CapitalVenture capital firm; participated in Cambridge Aerospace's funding rounds through 2025.

Approximate ownership by holder. Indexed holders link to their records.

• ContractSkyhammer Interceptor Procurement — UK Ministry of DefenceUK MoD agreement to purchase a significant number of Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor systems and launchers, Cambridge Aerospace's first major government customer; initial deliveries expected from May 2026, supporting 125 jobs.

• ProgramStarhammerCambridge Aerospace's in-development higher-tier point-defence interceptor — a solid-rocket, Mach 2 system for engaging drones and cruise missiles — positioned alongside its Skyhammer interceptor.

What does Cambridge Aerospace do?

UK counter-drone startup building the Skyhammer interceptor family (range 30km+, top speed 700km/h) for drones and low-speed cruise missiles; UK Ministry of Defence agreed in April 2026 to buy hundreds of Skyhammer systems. The company also develops Starhammer, a higher-speed interceptor variant for more demanding targets, under its Nightstar solid-rocket-motor program based in Norfolk, England, and has established a German office (including a Munich-based GNC hire) as part of its European expansion.

Where is Cambridge Aerospace headquartered?

Cambridge Aerospace is headquartered in Cambridge, England, UK and was founded in 2024.

How much funding has Cambridge Aerospace raised?

Cambridge Aerospace has raised $136M (3 rounds through 2025) in disclosed funding.

What does Cambridge Aerospace specialize in?

Cambridge Aerospace works across Counter-UAS, Interceptor missiles, Air defense.

Does Cambridge Aerospace hold government contracts?

Defense Tech Atlas links Cambridge Aerospace to 1 government contract and 1 program.

Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.