Lockheed Martin Secures $4.6 Million DARPA Contract for AI Development

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 09, 2024 - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has received a $4.6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create AI tools for dynamic, airborne missions under the Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program. This initiative aims to develop advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) approaches and dominant AI agents for live, multi-ship, beyond visual range (BVR) missions, emphasizing the importance of investing in new technologies for national security and customer needs.

The DARPA AIR program seeks to enhance the speed and predictive capabilities of government-provided baseline models, aligning them more closely with the performance of Department of Defense systems in real-world scenarios. Over the 18-month project, Lockheed Martin will utilize AI and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to develop surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare, and weapons in dynamic and operationally realistic environments.

"In complex airborne missions, our customers need access to advanced technologies that connect critical systems quickly across all domains. The DARPA AIR program will use state-of-the-art scientific ML technology and Lockheed Martin's ARISE infrastructure to deliver unprecedented amounts of data that service members can use to make faster and more informed decisions," said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Engineering and Technology for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"This will provide significant cost savings opportunities for the Department of Defense and serve as a foundation for future AI defense solutions, ensuring the U.S. and its allies maintain their competitive advantage no matter the circumstances."