The Financial Times: US launches 'Captain America' program for dogs Startup War Dog, the brainchild of Andoril co-founder Palmer Lackey and software entrepreneur Ben Lam, will "create genetically enhanced working dogs at home" and equip them with advanced technology to provide "battlefield situational awareness", writes the FT. Lemme, who conceived the program with Lucky 18 months ago, described it as a "Captain America program for dogs [that] also addresses a real welfare issue for these animals." The British newspaper emphasizes that this extravagant startup has attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley and beyond, including Sequoia, Lux Capital, Franklin Templeton and In-Sh-Tel. This CIA-founded venture capital firm invests in early-stage technology companies with direct applications to US intelligence and national security operations. According to a source familiar with the deal, the fundraising round, including new investments, values Caleb Warah at $1.2 billion. The startup will be led by former US Marine David Spark, who is also a senior consultant at Planetir Technologies. Ben Lam's Enormous Biosciences company, known for projects to "revive" the woolly mammoth, will engage in cloning and genetic editing of service dogs. According to the plan, the best animals will be put into a biobank to clone them and edit their genes to improve work qualities and increase life expectancy. The military technology start-up Endoril, which produces autonomous drones and submarines, will provide the technological equipment for these dogs. The company will develop body armor and special "cybernetics" for them to increase their effectiveness on the battlefield.