In April 2024, Lockheed Martin announced it had received an award of up to $4.1 billion from the U.S. government's Missile Defense Agency to advance the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system. The C2BMC system uses AI and machine learning (ML) to "improve the ability to detect, track, target, engage and assess emerging threats," according to the company.
2. Northrop Grumman
Like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman (NOC +0.74%) is a major defense contractor that produces assets used on land, in the air, and at sea, as well as resources used in cyberwarfare. Working to provide its customers an edge on the frontlines, the company is embedding AI in numerous ways.
In collaboration with Palantir (NYSE:PLTR), Northrop Grumman announced in March 2024 that it's developing the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) ground system for the U.S. Army. Leveraging the power of AI and ML, TITAN will use intelligence data from sensors to provide advanced targeting information.
Northrop Grumman is also exploring AI for operations conducted in the wild blue yonder. In 2022, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to develop a prototype AI assistant to assist pilots in performing various in-flight tasks.
3. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Investors attracted to Anduril's drone exposure may find Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS -0.90%) more appealing. In addition to land-based drones, Kratos offers uncrewed systems that operate in the air and at sea. The company's offerings also include space-based systems, training systems, and missile defense, among others.
Demonstrating its commitment to AI, Kratos is partnering with Shield AI, a company that has developed an AI pilot. In April 2024, the two companies announced a successful test flight of the AI pilot on the Kratos Tactical Firejet. This achievement has motivated the two companies to collaborate on expanding the potential use of the AI pilot in the Kratos Valkyrie, a stealth, uncrewed tactical drone.
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