Hidden Level
Hidden Level is a Syracuse, NY-based defense technology company founded in 2018 that builds passive RF sensing systems for drone detection and airspace monitoring, serving the U.S. military, federal agencies, and public safety organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSyracuse, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Hidden Level does
Hidden Level is a Syracuse, New York-based defense technology company founded in 2018 that builds passive Radio Frequency (RF) sensing systems for airspace monitoring and drone detection. Its core technology is a multi-function passive RF sensor platform operating across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz frequency band, which detects and analyzes RF emissions from drones and aircraft without active transmission. The company packages this capability as the Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS), a cloud-based platform delivering real-time detection, operator location, and historical airspace analytics. Hardware products include the Surge Sensor Platform (TRL-9 and MRL-9 certified, deployable via Blackhawk), and software offerings include the Power in the Sky threat detection capability and DroneOps, a spatial computing application for Apple Vision Pro developed with About Objects.
The company serves U.S. military and federal customers as its primary market, with deployments across the U.S. Army (selected as core sensor for a 10-year Program of Record in 2024), U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, Department of War, NASA, FAA, and five combatant commands (NORTHCOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, INDOPACOM). Secondary segments include critical infrastructure and homeland security, public safety (e.g., Arlington Police Department), and research and development customers. Revenue is generated through three streams: hardware sales of certified sensor platforms, subscription-based Data-as-a-Service / Airspace Monitoring Service delivery, and managed service arrangements where Hidden Level installs, operates, and maintains sensors remotely. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
The company has raised approximately $117.6 million across disclosed funding rounds, including a $17.6M Series A (2021), a $10M DoD APFIT grant (2023), and a combined $100M Series B and Series C in February 2025 led by DFJ Growth with Lockheed Martin Ventures and Booz Allen Ventures, at a valuation of approximately $500 million. Hidden Level operates four facilities in Central New York, is expanding to a new Inner Harbor headquarters with 100 additional jobs planned, and holds Title 18 and FIPS 140-2 compliance certifications. The platform integrates with Palantir, ATAK, and FAAD C2 via open APIs, and strategic partnerships with Saab Inc. and Ultra I&C extend distribution into allied and naval channels.
Hidden Level firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hidden Level
- Legal name
- Hidden Level Inc.
- Website
- https://hiddenlevel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Hidden Level is a Syracuse, NY-based defense technology company founded in 2018 that builds passive RF sensing systems for drone detection and airspace monitoring, serving the U.S. military, federal agencies, and public safety organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hidden Level industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Airspace Monitoring and Counter-UAS Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- IFF/Identification, Beaconing & Cooperative Surveillance Systems (IMABAGAF)
Keywords
Where Hidden Level is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Syracuse
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hidden Level business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Platforms: Sale of proprietary passive RF sensor hardware to defense, government, and critical infrastructure customers. Sensors are production-ready, TRL-9 and MRL-9 certified.
- Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) / Software Platforms: Subscription-based Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) providing continuous real-time and historical airspace data through secure cloud platform. Eliminates hardware maintenance burden for customers with instant scalability.
- Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS): Managed service delivery model where Hidden Level installs, operates, and maintains sensors remotely. Customers pay for coverage without infrastructure investment or personnel costs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hidden Level product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hidden Level builds passive RF sensor hardware and the cloud-based Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) for real-time drone detection, operator location, and airspace domain awareness. The company sells the Surge Sensor Platform hardware, delivers the AMS as a Data-as-a-Service subscription, and offers managed-service deployment options to defense, government, and critical infrastructure customers.
Product overview
Hidden Level offers the RF Intelligent Platform, a comprehensive RF sensing ecosystem consisting of hardware sensors and software services. The core offering is the Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS), a passive RF sensing solution for drone detection and airspace awareness delivered as-a-service. Hardware products include the Surge Sensor Platform (TRL-9/MRL-9 certified) and multi-function passive RF sensors operating across 400MHz to 6 GHz. The software portfolio includes Power in the Sky (advanced threat detection) and DroneOps (spatial computing app for Apple Vision Pro). The Data as a Service model provides cloud-based access to airspace data with no infrastructure burden. The platform integrates with existing C2 systems including Palantir, ATAK, and FAAD C2 via open APIs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DroneOps: A spatial computing application for Apple Vision Pro that transforms live airspace data into an immersive 3D experience for monitoring drone and aircraft activity. Developed in partnership with About Objects.
- Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS)
- Power in the Sky
- Surge Sensor Platform
Products and services
- Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) A passive RF sensing cloud-based service that provides real-time drone detection and tracking, operator location identification, and airspace intelligence. Delivered as-a-service to defense, government, critical infrastructure, and public safety customers with no infrastructure burden on the customer.
- Surge Sensor Platform A next-generation passive RF sensor platform delivered as a clean-sheet design, certified TRL-9 and MRL-9 for military deployments and mass production. Designed for transportability and multi-mission platforms.
- DroneOps A spatial computing application for Apple Vision Pro that transforms live airspace data into an immersive 3D experience for monitoring drone and aircraft activity. Built using visionOS and targeted at government, commercial, and public safety organizations.
- RF Intelligent Platform The core RF sensing platform that transforms RF activity into trusted intelligence across air, ground, sea, and space, enabling an ecosystem of applications built on RF intelligence for research and development customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 24-hour deployment capability from request to full operational status
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Hidden Level
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hidden Level technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Hidden Level partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- Empire State DevelopmentsupportingSupported expansion of advanced manufacturing capacity at Syracuse campus through funding and programs. Part of broader effort to strengthen U.S. defense industrial base.
- New York's Manufacturing Extension PartnershipsupportingSupported expansion of manufacturing capabilities including anechoic chamber facility for in-house testing of RF sensing systems.
- Ultra I&CcoreUltra I&C demonstrated data movement and decision support capabilities using Hidden Level technology at WEST 2026 conference, providing real-time airspace monitoring and data fusion for operational decision-making.
- About ObjectscoreDeveloped DroneOps, a spatial computing application for Apple Vision Pro that transforms live airspace data into immersive 3D experience for monitoring drone and aircraft activity.
- Saab InccoreHidden Level's RF sensors powered Saab Inc's Autonomous Ocean Core demonstration at WEST 2025 naval exhibition in San Diego. Collaboration showcases naval innovation integration.
- PalantircoreHidden Level integrated real-time airspace data into Palantir's AI-driven analytics platform at Stewart ANGB, enabling shared common operating picture across military, state, and local law enforcement.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hidden Level competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anduril Industries: Anduril builds AI-driven defense systems including counter-UAS and autonomous airspace awareness, competing head-to-head with Hidden Level for DoD and homeland security programs. Both target the same buyer (U.S. Army, NORTHCOM, etc.) with sensor-plus-software stacks.
- Dedrone: Dedrone provides drone detection and airspace security software and sensors for defense, critical infrastructure, and public safety customers. Direct overlap with Hidden Level's AMS offering across counter-UAS use cases.
- DroneShield: DroneShield offers multi-sensor C-UAS detection and defeat systems for military, government, and commercial customers worldwide. Closely comparable business model and customer base to Hidden Level.
- D-Fend Solutions: D-Fend Solutions builds counter-drone detection and takeover systems for airports, prisons, and military bases. Competes with Hidden Level in passive/non-kinetic airspace monitoring.
- Fortem Technologies: Fortem Technologies develops radar-based drone detection and airspace management solutions for defense and critical infrastructure. Comparable product category and target buyer to Hidden Level.
Regional players
- SRC Inc. SRC Inc. is a Syracuse, NY-based not-for-profit defense electronics company specializing in counter-UAS radar and RF sensing for the U.S. Army. Geographically and technologically comparable, serving overlapping Army and DoD customers.
Emerging players
- Epirus: Epirus develops high-power microwave counter-electronics and Leonidas C-UAS system for DoD. Closely adjacent to Hidden Level's counter-UAS mission with overlapping U.S. Army customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is a global defense prime with counter-UAS and integrated air defense portfolios and is also an investor in Hidden Level. Represents both a potential prime contractor channel and a competitive incumbent in defense sensing.
- RTX (Raytheon): RTX, through Raytheon, produces radars, sensors, and counter-UAS solutions for the U.S. military. Competes with Hidden Level on large defense sensor programs while also providing potential integration pathways.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman offers integrated air and missile defense and counter-UAS solutions (e.g., Forward Area Air Defense) to the U.S. Army. Competes with Hidden Level as a broader incumbent serving the same DoD buyers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hidden Level social profiles
Digital presenceHidden Level compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Hidden Level financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hidden Level leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Hidden Level funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hidden Level M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hidden Level
What does Hidden Level do?
Hidden Level builds passive RF sensor hardware and the cloud-based Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) for real-time drone detection, operator location, and airspace domain awareness. The company sells the Surge Sensor Platform hardware, delivers the AMS as a Data-as-a-Service subscription, and offers managed-service deployment options to defense, government, and critical infrastructure customers.
Is Hidden Level a public or private company?
Hidden Level is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hidden Level founded?
Hidden Level was founded in 2018. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Hidden Level based?
Hidden Level is headquartered in Syracuse, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hidden Level make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Platforms are the primary driver. The others are data-as-a-Service (DaaS) / Software Platforms and airspace Monitoring Service (AMS).
Who are Hidden Level's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anduril Industries, Dedrone, DroneShield, D-Fend Solutions and Fortem Technologies. SRC Inc. is listed as a regional player. Epirus is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin, RTX (Raytheon) and Northrop Grumman.
Does Hidden Level have an API?
Yes. Hidden Level provides an open API for integrating airspace monitoring data into customer systems. The AMS API is secured using TLS 1.3 with FIPS 140-2 compliant cryptography for secure communication. API access and authentication are controlled via user-specific API tokens. The API enables customers to consolidate airspace monitoring data into their existing platforms, providing a 'single pane of glass' approach for security teams. Developer documentation is at www.hiddenlevel.com/how-to-buy-with-hidden-level.
What industry is Hidden Level in?
Hidden Level's product category is Airspace Monitoring and Counter-UAS Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAJ, Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics, with a secondary code of IMABAGAF, IFF/Identification, Beaconing & Cooperative Surveillance Systems. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.