BLACK BIRD
A turbojet‑powered fixed‑wing effector for mid‑ to long‑range autonomous interception and strike.


Startup · France
HQ Paris, FranceFounded 202451-200 employees
Hardware and AI-driven software solutions for drone interceptions.
| Announced | Stage | Amount | Valuation | Lead investors | Other investors | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 9, 2026 | Series A | ~$57.6M | — | Air Street Capital | Cherry Ventures, Harpoon Ventures, OTB Ventures | Reported |
| May 12, 2025 | Pre-Seed | ~$1.1M | — | — | Starburst Ventures | Reported |
| 2025 | Pre-Seed | €2.0M | — | Expansion, Starburst Ventures | Apeiron, Apok, Better Angle, Durandal Capital, Kima Ventures | Reported |
Raised counts equity rounds; debt, secondary sales and grants are totaled separately. Amounts in other currencies are converted at the announcement month's average rate. A ~ marks an estimated or converted amount.
A turbojet‑powered fixed‑wing effector for mid‑ to long‑range autonomous interception and strike.
Sensor‑intelligence, mission‑planning and flight‑monitoring software for UAV operations.
Real‑time video intelligence on the edge for ISTAR missions, turning sensor feeds into actionable detections.
A software system that assists interceptor UAV pilots in detecting, tracking and guiding toward aerial targets.
A multirotor effector for short‑ to mid‑range autonomous interception of multiple threats.
Newest unveiled first. Open a system for its milestone timeline, components and sources.
| Technology | Role | Maturity | TRL | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air and missile defense | Developer | — | — | classify_sectors run 37, haiku, taxonomy 2026-10-18b: Hardware and AI software for drone interception, which is clearly counter-drone use, but customers are not named in the description. | Reported |
| Uncrewed systems | Developer | — | — | classify_sectors run 37, haiku, taxonomy 2026-10-18b: Hardware and AI software for drone interception, which is clearly counter-drone use, but customers are not named in the description. | Reported |
Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Alain Henry | Founder |
| Hadrien Canter | Founder |
| Stanislas Walch | Founder |
| Theo Bondarec | Founder |
Blagnac, Occitanie, France · Full-time · Engineering
Checked
A sample of observed listings, not a total vacancy count. Availability may have changed since collection. Categories are inferred from job titles.
Employee-profile counts reflect LinkedIn profiles associated with the company, not verified headcount. One observation establishes a baseline; it does not establish growth.
Alta Ares · Supports Organization · name
“Alta Ares | Next-generation air defense”
EUDIS Business Accelerator · Supports Organization
“The EUDIS Business Accelerator supports a cohort of 20 startups and scaleups”
EUDIS Business Accelerator · Supports Organization
“Alta Ares … Hardware and AI-driven software solutions for drone interceptions”
Alta Ares · Supports System
“X-LOCK Short- to mid-range autonomous interception of multiple threats. A multirotor effector for tracking and engaging swarms in real time, securing airspace in high-risk zones. AI terminal guidance under jamming”
Tech Funding News · Jun 9, 2026 · Supports Funding round · amount, Organization · ownership
“raised €50 million in a funding round led by Air Street Capital, with participation from Cherry Ventures, OTB Ventures, and Harpoon Ventures”
Reuters · Jun 9, 2026 · Supports Funding round
“Alta Ares completed a €2 million funding round in May 2025”
Vestbee · May 12, 2025 · Supports Funding round · amount
“has secured €1 million in funding from Kima Ventures, Starburst Ventures, and Apeiron Venture Capital”
Alta Ares · Supports Funding round · amount
“Alta Ares, a defense technology company specializing in air defense and edge AI, today announced a €50 million funding round. The round was led by Air Street Capital, a leading AI-first venture capital firm, alongside Cherry Ventures, OTB Ventures and Harpoon Ventures.”
L'Embarqué · Supports Funding round · amount
“La jeune société française Alta Ares, spécialisée dans les solutions d’intelligence artificielle (IA) et de gestion de la données pour le secteur de la défense, vient de lever 2 millions d'euros auprès des fonds Expansion et Starburst Ventures, suivis des fonds Durandal Capital, Apeiron, Better Angle et Kima & Apok.”
Crunchbase via Bright Data · Supports Role · founders
“{"founders": [{"id": "alain-henry-1678", "type": "person", "value": "Alain Henry"}, {"id": "hadrien-c", "type": "person", "value": "Hadrien Canter"}, {"id": "stanislas-walch-stanislas-walch", "type": "person", "value": "Stanislas Walch"}, {"id": "théo-bondarec", "type": "person", "value": "Theo Bondarec"}]}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Organization · company size, Organization · country, Organization · founded, Organization · headquarters, Organization · logo, Organization · url, Organization metric · employees in linkedin, Organization metric · followers
“{"company_size": "51-200 employees"}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Job posting · job listing
“{"company_id": "99481637", "company_name": "Alta Ares", "company_url": "https://fr.linkedin.com/company/alta-ares?trk=public_jobs_topcard-org-name", "job_employment_type": "Full-time", "job_location": "Paris, Île-de-France, France", "job_posted_time": "2 months ago", "job_posting_id": "4442716735", "job_seniority_level": "Entry level", "job_summary": "About Alta Ares Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. Role & Mission As a Project Manager – Programmes , you will coordinate the successful execution of customer programmes from planning to deployment. Working at the intersection of engineering, product, business development, and operations, you will ensure projects stay on track, customer needs are met, and field activities run smoothly.This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys managing complex projects, solving problems, and working in operational environments.ResponsibilitiesProgramme Delivery Coordinate customer programmes and track key milestones, deliverables, and risks. Ensure smooth execution across engineering, product, operations, and commercial teams. Maintain project plans and communicate progress internally and with customers. Partnerships & Customer Success Coordinate technical and commercial partners involved in programme delivery. Support customer relationships throughout deployments and demonstrations. Help ensure successful execution of joint projects and collaborations. Product Strategy & Marketing Collect customer feedback and translate operational needs into product improvements. Contribute to product roadmap discussions with Product and Engineering teams. Support the preparation of product demonstrations, presentations, and customer-facing materials. Field Operations Coordinate field trials, demonstrations, and operational deployments. Work closely with technical teams to prepare testing scenarios and ensure operational readiness. Capture lessons learned from the field to improve future products and programmes. Requirements 1–3 years of experience in project management, operations, product, consulting, or a similar role (internships and entrepreneurial experience are valued). Excellent organizational and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Curious, proactive, and eager to learn. Interest in AI, robotics, autonomous systems, or defense technologies. Languages Professional fluency in English (mandatory). French is a plus. Travel Willingness to travel regularly across Europe and NATO countries for customer meetings, demonstrations, and field deployments. What we offer Join one of Europe's fastest-growing defense AI companies. Work directly with leading military organizations and cutting-edge technologies. High ownership and responsibility from day one. Competitive compensation and stock options. The opportunity to build products that have real operational impact. Show more Show less", "job_title": "Project Manager – Programs", "timestamp": "2026-10-05T05:41:58.837Z"}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Job posting · job listing
“{"company_id": "99481637", "company_name": "Alta Ares", "company_url": "https://fr.linkedin.com/company/alta-ares?trk=public_jobs_topcard-org-name", "job_employment_type": "Full-time", "job_location": "Paris, Île-de-France, France", "job_posted_time": "2 months ago", "job_posting_id": "4448897060", "job_seniority_level": "Mid-Senior level", "job_summary": "About Alta Ares Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. Role & Mission As Logistics Manager, you will own the full logistics function at Alta Ares from internal stock management and equipment procurement to the operational deployment of systems in the field. You will be the person who ensures that the right equipment is in the right place at the right time, in perfect condition, fully compliant with applicable regulations whether that's a drone airframe being prepared for a DGA demonstration or a C-UAS system being shipped to a NATO exercise in Poland. This is a hands-on, field-connected role with broad scope. Alta Ares deploys in demanding environments across France and internationally, and ships dual-use equipment across jurisdictions where export control compliance is not optional. Internal Logistics & Stock Management Own Alta Ares' equipment inventory end-to-end: airframes, embedded systems, sensors, payloads, ground equipment, and spare parts Design and maintain a rigorous asset tracking system every item referenced, located, and accounted for at all times Manage procurement of logistics-related supplies: packaging, shipping materials, tools, and field equipment Coordinate equipment maintenance schedules with Engineering: inspection cycles, component replacement, and airworthiness checks Manage the Paris logistics space: organisation, cleanliness, access control, and safety compliance Track equipment lifecycle: procurement, deployment history, maintenance records, and end-of-life decisions Shipping, Customs & Export Compliance Plan and execute all equipment shipments across Alta Ares' operational geographies primarily France and Europe, with occasional international shipments to Ukraine, UAE, US, and beyond Manage customs clearance for all outbound and inbound shipments including dual-use and defence equipment requiring specific authorisations Own export control compliance from a logistics standpoint: AECA / CIEEMG licences, ITAR end-user certificate requirements, and destination-country import regulations Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers negotiating rates and ensuring SLA-aligned delivery Anticipate and resolve customs issues, delays, and documentation gaps proactively Maintain a complete and audit-ready record of all shipments, export licenses, and end-user documentation Operational Field Logistics - France & Europe Own end-to-end logistics for field deployments, live demonstrations, and operational exercises primarily across French test sites and NATO facilities on French and European soil Plan and execute equipment deployment logistics: packing, transport, site access coordination, and on-site setup Be present on-site during major demonstrations and field campaigns managing equipment handling, setup, and safe return Coordinate with DGA range officers, base logistics teams, and event organizers on access, safety, and equipment clearance Manage on-site logistics under pressure: real-time problem-solving when equipment, transport, or access doesn't go to plan Support occasional international deployments when required: UAE, Ukraine, UK, and NATO exercise locations Debrief after each deployment and produce structured logistics reports: lessons learned, damage assessment, and process improvements Supplier & Partner Management Build and manage relationships with Alta Ares' logistics partners: freight forwarders, customs brokers, French carriers, and specialist defense logistics providers Negotiate contracts and framework agreements with key logistics suppliers Source and qualify new logistics providers for emerging operational geographies Manage logistics budgets: cost tracking, invoice validation, and spend optimisation Safety, Compliance & Documentation Ensure all logistics operations comply with applicable French and international transport regulations for defense and dual-use equipment: IATA dangerous goods rules, ADR (transport routier), and military equipment shipping standards Maintain safety procedures for the handling, storage, and transport of batteries, RF equipment, and pyrotechnic components Ensure all logistics documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready at all times Contribute to the development of logistics policies, standard operating procedures, and emergency protocols in line with French defense regulations Candidate Profile Experience 3–6 years of experience in logistics, supply chain, or operations with at least partial exposure to defense, aerospace, dual-use, or technically complex equipment Proven hands-on experience managing shipments, customs clearance, and freight coordination within France and international markets. Prior exposure to French export control regulations (AECA / CIEEMG) and DGA processes is a strong plus Experience supporting field operations, live demonstrations, or equipment deployments at French test ranges or military sites is highly valued Background in a French defense prime, neoprime, DGA, or defense-adjacent logistics provider is a significant advantage Skills & Qualities Hands-on and field-oriented you are as comfortable at managing a deployment as in a warehouse running an inventory Rigorous and meticulous: equipment goes missing, gets damaged, or gets stuck in customs when logistics is sloppy: you don't let that happen Calm under pressure: field deployments go wrong; you solve problems on the fly without losing composure. Proactive and anticipatory: you identify logistics risks weeks before they become operational problems Strong negotiator: you get the best rates, the most reliable service, and the fastest customs clearance from your provider network French fluency is mandatory: primary working language and essential for coordination with French military, DGA, and domestic suppliers English proficiency is mandatory: international shipments, export documentation, and occasional international field missions require professional-level English Comfortable with the security culture of a defense company: discretion, access control, and sensitive equipment handling are second nature Show more Show less", "job_title": "Logistics Manager H/F", "timestamp": "2026-10-05T05:41:56.679Z"}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Job posting · job listing
“{"company_id": "99481637", "company_name": "Alta Ares", "company_url": "https://fr.linkedin.com/company/alta-ares?trk=public_jobs_topcard-org-name", "job_employment_type": "Full-time", "job_location": "Blagnac, Occitanie, France", "job_posted_time": "1 month ago", "job_posting_id": "4460101839", "job_seniority_level": "Mid-Senior level", "job_summary": "About Alta Ares Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. ROLE & Missions: STRUCTURAL DESIGN & ANALYSIS Design and analyze the primary and secondary composite structures of our interceptor airframes (fuselage, wings/control surfaces, internal load-bearing components) Perform structural and stress analysis combining hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to justify margins under static, dynamic, and high-acceleration loads Define and document load paths, free-body diagrams, and failure modes for all major structural elements Own composite laminate design, layup schedules, and bonding/joining strategies for carbon fiber structures WEIGHT & PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION Aggressively optimize structural weight without compromising strength, given the platform's speed and maneuverability requirements Work with Aerodynamics and Propulsion teams to balance structural mass, CG, and vibration constraints against flight performance targets Evaluate design trade-offs between composite and metallic/CNC solutions where each makes sense TESTING & VALIDATION Support structural, vibration, shock, and environmental qualification testing of airframe components and subassemblies Analyze test and flight data to identify failure modes, including: Fatigue and fracture CG shifts Vibration-induced damage Support fast structural repairs and troubleshooting during flight test campaigns MANUFACTURABILITY & PRODUCTION Work directly with manufacturing partners and internal fabrication teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, repeatable, and cost-effective at scale Get hands-on with composite fabrication and bonding to understand how parts are actually built, not just how they're modeled Support the transition of airframe structures from prototype to serial production CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION Work closely with Aerodynamics, Propulsion, and Manufacturing engineers to resolve cross-disciplinary design conflicts Communicate structural decisions and analysis clearly to non-structural stakeholders Contribute to design reviews and structural documentation standards as the team scales CANDIDATE PROFILE 3+ years’ experience in aerospace or aircraft structural engineering, ideally including UAV/drone platforms Demonstrated experience analysing and sizing airframe structures for aerodynamic, manoeuvre, propulsion, and inertial loads, with the ability to interpret, validate, and apply aircraft aerodynamic load cases Proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA) for static strength, stiffness, buckling and vibration modelling Strong CAD capability (e.g. CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk or comparable tools), with the ability to support detailed design and internal component integration Familiarity with UAV/drone specific integration challenges, including payloads, batteries, avionics, propulsion mounting, and practical field repairability, would be a strong advantage Experience designing lightweight carbon-fibre composite structures, including laminate design and sandwich panels and knowledge of composite manufacturing methods and processes Experience designing parts for polymer 3D printed components, with a practical understanding of print orientation and load paths Ability to perform hand calculations and correlate analytical results with FEA and structural test data Strong communication and multidisciplinary collaboration skills across aerodynamics, systems and manufacturing teams Experience with aeroelasticity analysis, including flutter, divergence, structural deflection, and vibration assessment, would be a strong advantage Show more Show less", "job_title": "Structural Engineer UAV H/F", "timestamp": "2026-10-05T05:41:59.503Z"}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Job posting · job listing
“{"company_id": "99481637", "company_name": "Alta Ares", "company_url": "https://fr.linkedin.com/company/alta-ares?trk=public_jobs_topcard-org-name", "job_employment_type": "Full-time", "job_location": "Blagnac, Occitanie, France", "job_posted_time": "1 week ago", "job_posting_id": "4471666810", "job_seniority_level": "Mid-Senior level", "job_summary": "About Alta Ares Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. About The Role We are building next-generation interceptor drones and are looking for a Senior Jet Engine Design Engineer to lead the development of small-scale jet propulsion systems (12–25 kg thrust class), from concept to flight-ready hardware. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role in a fast-moving startup environment where speed and iteration matter more than lengthy upfront studies. Responsibilities: Design and develop new small jet engines (12–25 kg thrust range) in-house, optimized for very low production cost Own the aerodynamic design of turbine components, balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost Design a large portion of the turbine for metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing), leveraging design-for-AM principles to reduce part count, weight, and cost Work closely with 3D printing operations to define printable geometries, tolerances, post-processing, and qualify parts for flight use Drive a rapid, fail-fast iteration process: build, test, learn, and redesign quickly rather than relying on long analytical phases before prototyping Integrate propulsion systems into airframes such as flying wings and other interceptor drone configurations, working with aerostructures and systems teams Apply and enforce design rules for operation in extreme environments (cold and hot climates, rain, humidity, icing conditions) to ensure engine reliability across the full operational envelope Contribute to engine testing (bench and flight), performance validation, and continuous design improvement Candidate Profile: Minimum 8 years of experience in jet engine / gas turbine design, with a proven track record of having designed and delivered engine models (not just component-level work) Strong hands-on experience with small jet engines in the 12–25 kg thrust class Solid global understanding of jet engine architecture: compressor, combustor, turbine, fuel system, controls, and their interactions Experience designing turbine/engine components for metal additive manufacturing (DfAM), and practical knowledge of metal 3D printing processes and constraints Comfortable working in a rapid-iteration, fail-fast development culture rather than a traditional long-cycle aerospace process Experience integrating propulsion systems into airframes (flying wing or similar unconventional platforms is a strong plus) Knowledge of design requirements for extreme operating environments (temperature extremes, precipitation, icing) Ability to work autonomously in a small, fast-paced startup team, wearing multiple hats when needed Nice to Have Experience with UAV/drone propulsion specifically (vs. manned aviation) Familiarity with low-cost manufacturing strategies for defense/dual-use hardware Prior startup or skunkworks experience Show more Show less", "job_title": "Senior Jet Engine Design Engineer – Interceptor Drones", "timestamp": "2026-10-05T05:41:57.482Z"}”
LinkedIn via Bright Data · Supports Job posting · job listing
“{"company_id": "99481637", "company_name": "Alta Ares", "company_url": "https://fr.linkedin.com/company/alta-ares?trk=public_jobs_topcard-org-name", "job_employment_type": "Full-time", "job_location": "Munich, Bavaria, Germany", "job_posted_time": "6 days ago", "job_posting_id": "4472744326", "job_seniority_level": "Mid-Senior level", "job_summary": "About Alta Ares Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them. Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development. Role & Mission Defense Sales & Business Development Own the sales pipeline across the German MOD, procurement agencies, and armed forces Lead qualification, opportunity shaping, proposal management, and contract negotiations Identify and drive multi-million programs across ISR, C-UAS, autonomy, and AI Establish a repeatable sales motion with clear forecasting and metrics Convert tactical demos and pilot deployments into scalable contracts Customer & Partner Relationships Build trusted relationships with military users, procurement officers, and program managers Engage with primes, neoprimes, integrators, and defense engineering firms Develop and manage channel partnerships where relevant Conduct regular on-site visits, field demos, and customer workshops across Europe Market Expansion & Strategic Development Map European defense markets: budgets, procurement cycles, capability gaps Shape requirements for upcoming tenders and influence capability roadmaps Provide competitive intelligence and product feedback to engineering & founders Support localization strategies for key European countries Cross-functional Collaboration Work closely with Engineering, Product, and Operations teams to align demos, deployments, and delivery Help refine pricing strategy, sales collateral, and customer-facing documentation Contribute to showcasing Alta Ares at major defense exhibitions (Eurosatory, DSEI, MSPO, IDEX, etc.) Candidate profile 5–10 years of experience in defense sales, business development, capture management, or program engagement Strong track record selling to MODs, procurement agencies, or armed forces Experience in defense tech companies, primes, or ideally neoprimes (e.g., Anduril, Helsing, Palantir, Shield AI, or equivalent) Deep understanding of defense procurement cycles and bidding processes Demonstrated ability to close complex deals in multi-stakeholder environments Experience working with drones, C-UAS, ISR, AI autonomy, or adjacent systems is a major plus Skills & Qualities Strong hunter profile with resilience and deal-making mindset Ability to translate technical capabilities into operational value Excellent relationship-building with military and technical stakeholders High integrity, discretion, and understanding of security culture Entrepreneurial spirit: able to operate in fast-moving, resource-efficient environments Bilingual in German and English. Another European language (French strongly preferred) Nice to Have Experience in a neoprime or high-growth defense startup Experience in NATO procurement or European Defence Fund (EDF) programs Former military service (officer or NCO) Knowledge of operational C-UAS, ISR, or AI workflows Existing network inside European MODs and procurement bodies Ability to support deployments and demos in live environments Show more Show less", "job_title": "Defense Sales - Germany (H/F)", "timestamp": "2026-10-05T05:41:59.242Z"}”
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