The dogs of war could soon be getting a DNA upgrade.
Silicon Valley heavyweights are pouring $200 million into a straight-out-of-sci-fi plan to genetically engineer military dogs — potentially giving them wolf-like sniffing powers and outfitting them with high-tech combat armor.
A Texas-based startup called Warhound has already reached a reported $1.2 billion valuation despite not yet producing a single genetically modified puppy.
The ambitious venture was conceived by Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology giant Anduril, and Ben Lamm, whose Colossal Biosciences made headlines for its controversial effort to resurrect the extinct dire wolf.
Warhound aims to clone America’s most elite military and police dogs, then use genetic engineering to eliminate health problems and potentially enhance their physical abilities.
The company has already obtained blood samples from elite dogs used by armed forces, law enforcement and first responders, with the aim of cloning the animals, Lamm told Wired.
The animals will be “mostly Belgian Malinois, some labs, and some shepherds,” he said.
The company isn’t stopping at cloning.
Its initial genetic modifications will target ailments including hip dysplasia, a condition that can hamper working dogs.
Eventually, Lamm envisions moving into “really interesting things,” including potentially inserting olfactory receptor genes from wolves to “enhance” the animals’ sense of smell, according to Wired.
The project represents a new frontier for Colossal. It sparked controversy last year after unveiling genetically engineered wolves that it said were extinct dire wolves brought back to life.
Scientists disputed whether the animals amounted to a genuine resurrection of the prehistoric predator.
Warhound’s ambitions extend beyond genetic engineering.
The startup plans to equip its canine creations with technology from Luckey’s Anduril, including protective armor, sensors, software and systems designed to improve battlefield awareness.
A company press release touted “Anduril’s advanced cybernetic Augments, software, and battlefield situational awareness,” according to Wired.
Despite the futuristic language, Lamm insisted the technology would involve equipment worn by the animals rather than surgically implanted electronics.
He specifically cited “advanced body armor” as an example.
Asked by Wired whether the company might eventually produce dogs outfitted with lasers, Lamm replied: “I can’t comment on what Anduril plans.”
“Dog safety and performance, and then helping continue helping to improve the human handler and dog bond, and working as a team — that is what the mission is,” he added.
The company says it hopes to reduce America’s reliance on European breeders for military working dogs while creating a domestic supply of genetically improved animals for the Pentagon, police departments and emergency responders.
Its deep-pocketed investors include venture capital powerhouse Sequoia Capital, Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest and In-Q-Tel, an investment firm focused on technology with national-security applications.
Warhound is being led by David Spirk, a former Pentagon chief data officer who subsequently worked at Palantir.
Neither Luckey nor Lamm will oversee daily operations, although Lamm sits on the board, according to Wired.
Colossal owns a stake in Warhound, while Luckey and Anduril hold no equity, Lamm told the outlet.
The startup has been in development for more than a year, with its founders only recently deciding to bring the project out of stealth mode.
The venture comes with significant scientific hurdles.
While scientists have successfully cloned dogs and genetically modified their DNA, producing animals with reliably superior abilities — without introducing new health problems — remains unproven.
Warhound’s proposed improvements in scent detection, physical performance and health have yet to be demonstrated with animals.
The project also raises questions about the welfare of genetically engineered military dogs, particularly given the reproductive challenges associated with cloning.
There’s also the possibility of angry howls from animal-rights groups.
Warhound says it plans to operate under the guidance of the American Humane Society.
“We applaud Warhound and Colossal for inviting the country’s first national humane organization, which is grounded in science and ethics, to have a seat at the table. We look forward to working with them to help ensure the animals in their care are treated humanely,” the American Humane Society said in a statement to The Post.
Lamm offered a superhero-inspired description of the project’s ambitions.
The concept borrows from two Marvel superheroes: Captain America, an ordinary soldier transformed into a superhuman by an experimental serum, and Iron Man, who relies on a high-tech armored suit.
“Someone said, ‘So it’s like the Captain America dog program with the Iron Man tech program on top of it’,” Lamm told Wired.
The company expects its first genetically engineered puppies to be born in early 2027.
