Aurelius Systems Names Industry Executive Dustin Hicks as Head of Growth

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aurelius Systems, a defense technology company pioneering lightweight directed-energy solutions to counter unmanned aerial threats, today announced the appointment of industry executive Dustin Hicks as its new Head of Growth.

In this role, Hicks will lead Aurelius’ business development strategy, forging new partnerships and expanding opportunities across defense and national security markets. He brings more than 26 years of experience in senior business development, government, and military roles, most recently leading strategic capture at Anduril where he led initiatives that secured major defense contracts and drove significant revenue growth.

“Dustin’s leadership and deep industry relationships will be critical as we scale our Archimedes Laser Defense System and expand our footprint with the domestic and international defense and commercial partners,” said Michael LaFramboise, CEO and founder of Aurelius Systems. “Aurelius’s technology, leadership and mission are aligned with the evolving priorities of government customers, making this new role pivotal as we move from development into large-scale deployment.”

Hicks joins Aurelius at a moment of rapid momentum for the company. In September 2025, shortly after its initial funding round led by Outlander VC, Aurelius raised a $10 million seed round led by General Catalyst and Draper Associates to scale engineering and manufacturing capabilities, expand field testing programs, and accelerate the Archimedes laser platform toward operational readiness. During recent range testing, Aurelius successfully intercepted and disabled Group 1 aircraft using fiber-lasers.

This growth comes amid an intensifying push by the U.S. government to modernize its counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities. Through recent executive policy initiatives, there is increasing support for rapid deployment, innovation, and public-private collaboration in C-UAS.

About Aurelius Systems

Aurelius Systems is a defense technology company pioneering lightweight, directed-energy solutions to counter the growing threat of hostile unmanned aerial systems. Its flagship platform, the Archimedes Laser Defense System, combines advanced sensors, modular architecture, and cost-effective scalability to deliver reliable protection across diverse operational environments. Backed by leading investors including General Catalyst and Draper Associates, Aurelius is reshaping battlefield defense with systems designed for rapid deployment, resilience, and mass production.