Rune Technologies Secures $24M to Modernize Military Logistics with AI
Rune Technologies Raises $24M to Revolutionize Military Logistics with AI
As defense technology rapidly evolves, a new wave of startups is targeting an often-overlooked challenge: military logistics. Rune Technologies, founded by veterans and alumni from Anduril and Meta, has just secured a $24 million Series A round to bring artificial intelligence to the heart of military supply chains—moving beyond outdated methods like Excel spreadsheets and manual whiteboards.
Why Military Logistics Needs a Tech Upgrade
Despite advances in weapons and defense hardware, logistics—the backbone of any military operation—has lagged behind in innovation. As co-founder David Tuttle, a former U.S. Army field artillery officer, explains:
- Current systems rely on manual processes, making it hard to keep pace with modern warfare.
- Conflicts like Ukraine highlight the scale and speed required, which overwhelm analog systems.
- Efficient logistics are critical for ensuring supplies, equipment, and troops get where they’re needed, when they’re needed.
TyrOS: AI-Powered Logistics for the Battlefield
Rune’s flagship software, TyrOS, aims to transform how militaries manage logistics by:
- Using deep learning models to forecast supply and demand for everything from personnel to vehicles and food.
- Optimizing resource allocation based on hundreds of variables, including environmental conditions and mission needs.
- Enabling distributed operations—even on disconnected laptops in remote areas—thanks to an edge-first architecture. TyrOS is "cloud-capable, but not cloud-required."
"A logistician thinks about not just, 'What do I have on hand from supplies?', but also, 'What vehicles do I have to move that?', 'What qualified crews do I have to drive that vehicle?', 'What routes is that vehicle going to go over?', and 'Is that threat-informed?'" says Tuttle.
Generative AI and Tactical Decision-Making
Rune is integrating generative AI into TyrOS for real-time "course of action generation." This allows commanders to query massive datasets in the heat of battle. While large language models (LLMs) are leveraged for flexible analysis, classic mathematical optimization still plays a key role for precise tasks like cargo loading.
Designed for the Modern Warfighter
- TyrOS runs on both cloud and on-premise military hardware, ensuring compatibility and operational resilience.
- Its architecture allows for offline operation, syncing with central servers only when connectivity is available.
- Rune’s team, two-thirds of whom are veterans, understands first-hand the challenges faced in the field.
Strategic Partnerships and Vision
Rune’s backers include notable investors like a16z, Point72 Ventures, and executives from Palantir and Anduril. The company was also selected for the Palantir Startup Fellowship and has integrated with Palantir’s Defense OSDK, bridging the gap between tactical field data and strategic decision-making.
Looking ahead, Rune aims to automate the flow of data from the battlefield all the way to defense industrial production—optimizing not just day-to-day sustainment, but also long-term manufacturing and supply strategies.
What’s Next?
The $24 million raised will fund the expansion of TyrOS deployments across U.S. military services, following successful pilots with the Army and Marine Corps. As defense operations become more complex and data-driven, AI-powered logistics platforms like TyrOS could prove vital for operational success and safety.
