I have been following the work of scientists at Colossal Biosciences, who created a genetically engineered mouse dubbed the “woolly mouse” as a step toward their goal of resurrecting the woolly mammoth.
Their work produced a new breed of mouse with several mammoth-like traits.
Then the team used genetic technology to revive an animal even cuter….the dire wolf.
Now, just in time for Halloween week, Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lam is announcing a new venture to create real “dogs of war” with a decidedly science-fiction twist: genetically engineered working dogs outfitted with high-tech gear from defense contractor Anduril.
Lamm launched Warhound with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey as a partner, and the company has raised $200 million to develop healthier, more capable canines for military, police, and emergency-response missions.
On Thursday, that idea came out of stealth as Warhound, backed by $200 million in funding from investors including Sequoia, 8VC, Corner Ventures, and In-Q-Tel, a venture firm backed by the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies. The round values the company at $1.2 billion.
Warhound’s dogs, which do not exist yet, will take on tasks that are dangerous for humans or difficult for machines, such as bomb detection, searches, and other specialized operations. In its launch announcement, the company said that more than 80% of the U.S. military’s working dogs come from Europe, and less than half of them are fit for service.
Before anyone pictures Frankenstein’s Fido patrolling the neighborhood, the dogs don’t exist yet, and the venture’s stated goal is to improve their health, protect their handlers, and tackle dangerous jobs machines still struggle to do. Warhound chief executive David Spirk stressed the firm’s mission objectives.
“Our long-term goal is simple: healthier dogs, better-prepared teams, and more service members and first responders coming home safely,” Spirk said, adding that he cares deeply about “protecting people and helping the animals who support them.”Before joining Warhound, Spirk held several defense-related positions, including senior counsel at Palantir Technologies and chief data officer at both the Defense Department and U.S. Special Operations Command, or SOCOM.According to the announcement, Luckey and Lamm conceived the idea for Warhound years ago at the annual Moonshots Summit, a gathering where entrepreneurs discuss ambitious ideas….According to Warhound, overseas suppliers provide 80% of military working dogs. The company also says the United States must train roughly 200 dogs to field 100, in part because so many fail to complete training.
Ultimately, Warhound’s team will identify the genetics that produce traits essential to an effective military dog and then create top-of-the-line gear for these canines. The firm hopes to have the first batch of puppies in early 2027.
“If you can standardize the training and you know the genetic disposition and performance capabilities, we think that we can we can lower (the failure percent) to 10% washout or less,” Lamm said. “Let’s vertically integrate everything so that we can clone and deploy the top dogs. You’re not worried what you’re going to get.”In addition to “domesticating that supply chain (and) enhancing the dogs genetically we will also be further enhancing them,” Lamm said. Deployed dogs may get protective body armor, ear and eye coverings, and integration with military technology such as like EagleEye, Anduril’s in-development artificial intelligence-powered military helmet and high-res 3D heads-up display.Anduril is also developing, with Meta, battlefield augmented reality glasses. Warhound hopes to have its first puppies born in the first quarter of 2027 and will likely have some demonstrations next year of Anduril’s potential technology applications for the working dogs. “Man’s best friend deserves man’s best tech,” said Anduril founder Luckey said in a statement.
The plan is for these dogs to receive standard working-dog training. American Humane Society will certify the training and help retired dogs find homes.
These genetically engineered “dogs of war” might sound like the premise of a Halloween-week creature feature, but healthier working dogs and safer American troops would be a welcome departure from the usual mad-scientist ending.
I’ll be watching to see whether Warhound can deliver on those promises while protecting the animals that make the mission possible.
If it succeeds, it will be another wonderful example of American ingenuity helping more two-legged and four-legged heroes come home safely.
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