Swan

Swan is a developer of autonomous products headquartered in San Francisco, California, focused on the defense and industrial sectors. The company is dedicated to creating scalable autonomous solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and security. Its technology enables unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to autonomously navigate and map environments where GPS is denied, all while maintaining minimal electromagnetic emissions. This capability is critical for modern military and industrial applications requiring stealth and reliable operation in contested environments.

As a venture capital-backed entity, Swan has attracted investment from prominent defense VCs, including Andreessen Horowitz's (a16z) American Dynamism fund. The company operates as a key partner in advancing autonomous systems for the United States military. In April 2025, the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) selected Swan as one of four companies to develop long-range, one-way autonomous platform prototypes for Project Artemis. This project aims to deliver loitering munitions capable of operating effectively in electromagnetically contested environments, a direct response to observations from modern combat scenarios.

The company's products are designed for real-world robotic systems, integrating various sensors like LiDAR, cameras, and IMUs to process data for real-time decision-making and control. Swan's software stack heavily utilizes C++ and Python and is compatible with robotics frameworks such as ROS (Robot Operating System). By focusing on scalable, adaptable, and resilient autonomous technologies, Swan is positioning itself to address the evolving needs of both defense and industrial clients seeking robust unmanned solutions.

Keywords: autonomous navigation, defense technology, industrial autonomy, scalable autonomous products, UAV software, GPS-denied navigation, unmanned aerial systems, robotics systems, defense innovation, military robotics, loitering munitions, computer vision for drones, sensor fusion, American Dynamism, Project Artemis, DIU contractor, C-sUAS, drone swarming, autonomous mapping, tactical media