Ethan Thornton, a 21-year-old founder, has secured a U.S. Army contract for his defense tech startup, Mach Industries, which plans to build a 115,000 square foot factory in Huntington Beach, California. The factory, named Forge 1, will produce innovative products like the Viper UAV and Glide bomb, aiming for decentralized manufacturing to enhance production capabilities. With $85 million in funding, Mach is positioned as a key player in the defense tech sector, leveraging advanced technology and a unique manufacturing approach.