The crashes are presented as setbacks to Anduril’s fast-moving defense-tech push, with potential implications for the company’s reputation and its role in U.S. military modernization.

The Crashes come as Anduril rises in prominence, with the company valued at about $30.5 billion following a rapid investment-driven surge since late 2022.

Anduril promotes the Altius drone as battle-ready for surveillance and capable of carrying munitions, and it has claimed deployment to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.

Coverage places Anduril within a broader wave of Silicon Valley defense startups expanding into drone warfare, amid U.S. efforts to leverage cutting-edge tech against China, while noting the company’s high market valuation despite recent testing failures.

Reuters reports multiple setbacks for Anduril, focusing on Altius drone crashes during U.S. Air Force testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, including one drone nose-diving from 8,000 feet and another spiraling to the ground in a separate test.