FAIL · AI INCIDENT TRACKER

wire / 2026-08-17-7778

Pentagon Accelerates Military AI Deployment with Smack Technologies Funding

August 17, 2026 · USA HAZARD PHYSICAL

A defense startup called Smack raised $61 million for battlefield decision AI after the Pentagon flagged Anthropic as a supply-chain risk. The named winner is Smack.

The facts

Smack Technologies, a U.S. defense startup, raised $61 million to accelerate development of its AI decision-making tools for the military after the Pentagon labeled Anthropic a supply-chain risk. The AI system, designed for battlefield use, raises concerns about potential future harm due to reduced human oversight in military operations.