How Allen Control Systems Powers Modern Defense Infrastructure
Founded in 2022 by Steven Simoni, Luke Allen, and Mike Wior, Allen Control Systems (ACS) has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the defense technology landscape. The company, led by Navy veterans Simoni and Allen, operates at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to address emerging battlefield challenges.
ACS secured $12 million in seed funding led by Craft Ventures, subsequently raising an additional $30 million in Series A financing. These investments accelerate the company’s mission of creating autonomous precision weapon stations that safeguard military personnel and ensure battlefield dominance.
The company’s flagship product, Bullfrog™, transforms conventional weapon systems into precision-targeting platforms using proprietary control systems. Furthermore, ACS developed SearchCam, which scans 360 degrees every five seconds to detect potential threats. Additionally, Bullfrog integrates with less-than-lethal options including laser dazzlers effective up to 2km away.
Recently, ACS appointed industry veterans Alex Clark as Head of Innovation and Brice Cooper as Chief Strategy Officer. Under their leadership, the Innovation Lab brings together interdisciplinary engineering teams to accelerate next-generation autonomous systems development.
Looking ahead, ACS aims to address the economics of modern warfare by reducing the cost-per-kill of drones to just a few dollars. The company continually seeks talented professionals across engineering disciplines to join their mission of countering proliferating unmanned threats.
Key Technologies Powering Defense Infrastructure
At the core of modern defense capabilities, Allen Control Systems (ACS) engineers autonomous weapon systems specifically designed to counter the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles. The company’s engineering team, led by VP of Engineering Aric Schorr, comprises skilled professionals from industry and leading technical universities with expertise in mechanical, hardware, and software engineering.
Bullfrog™, ACS’s flagship technology, represents a significant leap beyond traditional remote weapon stations operated via analog joystick. This AI-powered robotic hardware and software weapon station enables any legacy or modern weapon system to achieve precise engagements with unmatched accuracy. The system integrates with less-than-lethal options, particularly useful in sensitive environments:
- Laser Dazzler: Saturates drone sensors up to 2km away, disables focal planes up to 1km away, and can issue encrypted commands for non-kinetic takedown
- Composite/Rubber Bullets: Effective up to 300 yards with zero collateral damage from falling bullets
The technology employs machine vision programmed to search for and detect drones while using synthetic data generation to remain current with evolving threats. Most remarkably, ACS technology aims to reduce the cost-per-kill of a drone to mere dollars, fundamentally changing battlefield economics.
ACS continues developing next-generation technologies through its Innovation Lab, bringing together interdisciplinary engineering teams to accelerate autonomous systems development. For professionals interested in defense innovation, ACS offers career opportunities across mechanical, hardware, and software engineering disciplines.
Real-World Applications and Strategic Partnerships
Proving its combat readiness, Allen Control Systems has demonstrated Bullfrog’s effectiveness at several high-profile military events. During Project Convergence Capstone 5, Bullfrog successfully engaged its largest drone swarm to date, confirming kills on all 7 drone targets within range. Moreover, the system transitioned from storage to operational readiness in under 2 minutes, showcasing its battlefield practicality.
T-REX 24-2, hosted by the Department of Defense and Indiana National Guard, served as another crucial testing ground for ACS’s counter-drone technology. This event drew over 30 VIPs, including Congressional members and senior DoD officials who witnessed Bullfrog’s consistent performance against multiple drone threats.
ACS has expanded its product lineup to address diverse defense scenarios. The company now offers Mini Bullfrog (portable, personnel-carried), a larger 50 Cal version, and a 30mm chain gun variant designed for ships and tanks. This strategic diversification positions ACS to capture significant market share across multiple defense segments.
The company maintains deep relationships with DoD and international partners, evidenced by a recent demonstration in Austin attracting over 40 counter-drone stakeholders. Indeed, these partnerships reinforce ACS’s vision of deploying autonomous guns in every theater of operation.
For career-minded professionals, ACS consistently seeks talent in engineering, robotics, and AI to advance its mission of creating autonomous precision weapon stations that ensure battlefield dominance.
Careers and Future Outlook at Allen Control Systems
Allen Control Systems actively recruits top talent across multiple engineering disciplines to accelerate its defense technology mission. The company currently offers positions in several specialized areas, including Software Engineering, Embedded Engineering (Senior and Staff levels), Firmware Engineering, and Unreal Systems Development. For professionals interested in control systems, ACS likewise seeks Controls Engineers and System Test Leads.
The company recently established an Innovation Lab, effectively demonstrating its commitment to next-generation autonomous defense technologies. This strategic initiative brings together interdisciplinary engineering teams to tackle complex defense challenges. Alex Clark, formerly Senior Director of Advanced Innovations at BlueHalo, now leads this effort as Head of Innovation.
“We are doubling down on our commitment to build the weapons systems that the U.S. and our allies will need for the conflicts of the future,” stated Steve Simoni, co-founder and President.
Consequently, ACS appointed Brice Cooper, a 25-year Army and special operations veteran, as Chief Strategy Officer. Under this leadership team, the company envisions expanding beyond vehicle-mounted applications to revolutionize the entire gun market through various Bullfrog versions.
With offices in Austin, TX and Alexandria, VA, Allen Control Systems continues building autonomous precision weaponry to equip U.S. and allied forces for future conflict scenarios.
Conclusion
Allen Control Systems stands as a transformative force in modern defense infrastructure, fundamentally changing battlefield dynamics through innovative autonomous weapon systems. Their journey from securing $12 million in seed funding to raising an additional $30 million in Series A financing demonstrates exceptional industry confidence in their vision. Undoubtedly, the company’s flagship Bullfrog™ technology represents a significant advancement beyond traditional remote weapon stations, enabling precise engagements while reducing the cost-per-kill of drones to mere dollars.
The company has certainly proven its combat readiness through successful demonstrations at high-profile military events. During Project Convergence Capstone 5, Bullfrog effectively neutralized all drone targets within range while demonstrating rapid deployment capabilities. Additionally, their product diversification strategy, offering Mini Bullfrog, 50 Cal version, and 30mm chain gun variant, positions them strategically across multiple defense segments.
ACS continues building deep relationships with the Department of Defense and international partners, consequently expanding their influence in global defense ecosystems. The establishment of their Innovation Lab further illustrates their commitment to pushing technological boundaries through interdisciplinary collaboration. Their leadership team, strengthened by industry veterans Alex Clark and Brice Cooper, provides the strategic vision needed to navigate complex defense challenges.
As Allen Control Systems expands their operations from their Austin and Alexandria offices, they remain dedicated to equipping U.S. and allied forces with autonomous precision weaponry for future conflict scenarios. Despite being relatively young in the defense sector, ACS has already made significant strides in addressing the economics of modern warfare. After all, their pioneering work in autonomous control systems ensures they will remain at the forefront of defense technology innovation for years to come.