Just caught something interesting about how Big Tech is quietly building out defense capabilities. Turns out Google spun off a defense company called Aalyria back in 2022, and now in 2026 it's hitting unicorn status with a $1.3 billion valuation.

The company's been working on some pretty sophisticated tech. Their main product is called Tightbeam - basically laser-based communication systems that can connect satellites, aircraft, ships, and ground stations in seconds. The military angle is obvious: ultra-secure, jam-resistant communications that can't be easily intercepted. The Navy already contracted them for $7 million to develop over-the-horizon connectivity across their sea, air, and land assets.

What's wild is how this defense company approach differs from Google's old "don't be evil" stance. Remember when they pulled out of Project Maven over AI military concerns? Now they're actively building out defense infrastructure through Aalyria, just at arm's length as a spinoff.

Beyond just Tightbeam, they've got Spacetime - software that basically acts as digital connective tissue between different military networks. It orchestrates communications across ground stations, satellites, aircraft, ships, and more. Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit and Leidos have already signed on.

Aalyria just raised $100 million from Battery Ventures, J2 Ventures, and DYNE Maritime. CEO Chris Taylor mentioned they've got massive backlog to work through and need the resources to scale. If this defense company eventually goes public, it'll be sitting at the intersection of defense, space, and telecom - pretty interesting positioning.

The whole thing shows how the defense sector is becoming this unexpected growth area for tech spinoffs. Worth keeping an eye on how this space develops.