Sectors
Aerospace & Frontier

Systems that move, fly, and heal — from orbit to the laboratory bench.
Compute & Digital Infrastructure

The silicon, systems, facilities, and digital rails on which the next decades will run.
Services
Capital

We invest our own conviction, and help exceptional technology companies raise the capital they need.
- Principal Investments
- Capital Formation & Fundraising
Technology Advisory

Independent evaluation of technology — for investors, boards, lenders, corporates, and counsel.
About
Track Record
News
Contact

Quantum Systems raises US$1.2bn as capital piles into defense autonomy.

The autonomous-drone maker's round was co-led by Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus, and Advent.

Jul 2, 2026Drones & UnmannedSolomon Partners Briefing

German autonomous-drone maker Quantum Systems has raised US$1.2bn in a round co-led by Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus, and Advent, with participation from Bond, Fidelity Management and Research, Balderton, and HV Capital — one of the largest private defense-technology rounds ever raised in Europe.

The macro backdrop explains the size: the U.S. FY2027 budget request proposes more than US$74bn for drone and counter-drone technologies — triple the FY2026 level — while the U.S. Army plans to acquire up to one million drones and a new Unmanned Systems Office consolidates procurement.

Europe's rearmament adds a second demand curve. A Munich-based platform with NATO-interoperable ISR aircraft sits at the intersection of both — and the investor list (a buyout giant, an airframer, growth funds) shows every class of capital wants exposure.

Our read.

Round sizes like this pull forward consolidation: sub-scale drone makers will struggle to match the manufacturing and software investment this capital buys. In our coverage, the screen is production rate and fielded-performance data — the metrics wartime customers actually buy on.

Source: this briefing summarizes reporting by CNBC, Jul 2, 2026. Prepared by SOLOMON PARTNERS for general information only; not investment advice. Figures as reported at the date shown.

← Back to News & Insights

Important notice. SOLOMON PARTNERS is a privately held investment and advisory firm. Information on this website is general in nature and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or investment, legal, or accounting advice. Technology assessments, due diligence reports, and opinions are prepared only under written engagement terms. Where the placement of securities is a regulated activity, it is conducted with duly licensed partners. Please review our disclosures.