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Hegseth Introduces Department to New AI Tool

Wednesday, December 10th, 2025

Yesterday, several employees at the Pentagon got a pop-up on their computers inviting them to use a new artificial intelligence tool developed for the War Department. Some were skeptical, wondering if the invitation was part of a cybersecurity test.

But by this morning, those concerns were gone — posters around the Pentagon and an email from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth assured everyone that the new tool is not only legit, but that he wants everybody to start using it.

“I am pleased to introduce GenAI.mil, a secure generative AI platform for every member of the Department of War,” Hegseth wrote in the email. “It is live today and available on the desktops of all military personnel, civilians and contractors. With this launch, we are taking a giant step toward mass AI adoption across the department. This tool marks the beginning of a new era, where every member of our workforce can be more efficient and impactful.”

Visitors to the site will find that what’s available now is a specialized version of the Google AI tool Gemini, Gemini for Government. This version is approved to handle controlled unclassified information. A green banner at the top of the page reminds users of what can and can’t be shared on the site.

In addition to Gemini for Government, the site indicates that other American-made frontier AI capabilities will be available soon.

“There is no prize for second place in the global race for AI dominance,” said Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering.

“We are moving rapidly to deploy powerful AI capabilities like Gemini for Government directly to our workforce. AI is America’s next manifest destiny, and we’re ensuring that we dominate this new frontier.”

Access to the site is available only to personnel with a common access card and who are on the War Department’s nonclassified network.

When GenAI was asked, “How will you help the Department of War achieve its mission,” through a user prompt, it replied with a list of capabilities, including, among other things, creating and refining documents, analyzing information, processing and analyzing satellite images, and even auditing computer code for security purposes.

“I can support the DOW’s mission by providing a range of capabilities designed for a secure, high-impact environment,” GenAI replied. “I am ready to support your mission requirements.”

The tool reminds users to double-check everything it provides to ensure accuracy. The highest authority within the War Department, Hegseth himself, provided that validation.

“The first GenAI platform capability … can help you write documents, ask questions, conduct deep research, format content and unlock new possibilities across your daily workflows,” he wrote. “I expect every member of the department to log in, learn it and incorporate it into your workflows immediately. AI should be in your battle rhythm every single day; it should be your teammate. By mastering this tool, we will outpace our adversaries.”

For those unfamiliar with how to use AI, online training is available at genai.mil/resources/training.

By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News

Posted in AI / ML, Guest Post | Comments Off on Hegseth Introduces Department to New AI Tool

Aechelon Integrates Vantor’s 3D Operational Terrain into Project Orbion SkyBeam to Enhance ICEYE’s Space-Based SAR AI Capabilities

Monday, December 8th, 2025

Partnership demonstrates ability to transform 24/7, all-weather SAR data into high-fidelity 3D synthetic environments to support time-sensitive missions

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 1, 2025 — Aechelon Technology, Inc. (“Aechelon”), the leading provider of advanced geospatial and visual simulation solutions, today announced the successful proof-of-concept integration of Vantor’s 3D operational terrain into Aechelon’s Project Orbion.

This collaboration allows Aechelon to transform ICEYE’s high-resolution space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery into high-fidelity, physics-accurate 3D terrain visualizations. The capability will be demonstrated interactively at I/ITSEC 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

Through this partnership, Aechelon’s SkyBeam™ AI exploitation system visually fuses ICEYE’s SAR detections of changes and objects on the ground with Vantor’s highly accurate, global-scale 3D spatial foundation—which is updated continuously to reflect the operational terrain—to create a mission-ready synthetic environment. This integration unlocks 24/7, all-weather updates to Project Orbion’s living 3D environment.

“Aechelon and Vantor have sustained a decades-long partnership—we’ve been continuously integrating Vantor’s high-resolution imagery and advanced 3D data into our products and delivering them at scale across a range of defense programs,” said Nacho Sanz-Pastor, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aechelon Technology Inc. “This marks the first integration of Vantor’s software-enabled spatial intelligence capabilities with Project Orbion, expanding the roster of industry leaders we’ve brought together to advance next-generation geospatial intelligence.”

Vantor’s 3D spatial foundation includes 3D terrain and 3D building footprints covering over 95% of Earth’s landmass and is accurate to within 3 meters in all dimensions. It is kept continuously up to date by Vantor’s industry-leading imaging satellite constellation—which can revisit the same location on Earth up to 15 times per day—and is delivered to the SkyBeam environment via Vantor’s Tensorglobe™ spatial intelligence platform.

Project Orbion represents the industry’s first AI-enabled Digital Twin of the Earth—a continuously updated, sensor-fused 3D environment that integrates satellite imagery, radar intelligence, photogrammetry, and real-time detections into a single exploitable picture.

The proof of concept highlights Aechelon’s open AI exploitation environment capable of fusing heterogeneous geospatial sources. The system uses Aechelon’s AI algorithms to extract detailed 3D vegetation and process Vantor building footprints for 3D models. Aechelon’s dynamic moving models then correlate ICEYE SAR detections, transforming them into precise, real-time 3D representations against a fused, high-fidelity terrain backdrop.

Aechelon AI also enhances Vantor imagery and elevation data through machine learning–based environmental modeling, including real-time snow accumulation synchronized with ICEYE SAR satellite passes, further refining the visual fidelity and elevation accuracy.

Aechelon’s overall system is enabling operators to interactively visualize moving targets and new structures or others changes with high accuracy.

Together, Aechelon, Vantor, ICEYE, and Project Orbion advance Aechelon’s mission to deliver next-generation geospatial intelligence—providing U.S. and allied forces with correlated, high-fidelity, mission-ready synthetic environments. Beyond defense, the initiative supports disaster response, emergency management, and autonomous AI system training.

Built on Aechelon’s SkyBeam™ platform, Project Orbion represents the future of Aechelon’s global, continuously updated, sensor-fused geospatial ecosystem. The live demonstration at I/ITSEC 2025 will showcase the quality of the fused 3D environments.

For more details on Project Orbion’s rapid update capabilities, visit aechelon.com/solutions/project-orbion.

Posted in AI / ML, Press Release, Sensors, Space | Comments Off on Aechelon Integrates Vantor’s 3D Operational Terrain into Project Orbion SkyBeam to Enhance ICEYE’s Space-Based SAR AI Capabilities

Axon Vision Announce Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Leonardo DRS to Deliver AI-Enhanced Counter-UAS Solutions for US Market

Monday, December 8th, 2025

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 3, 2025 — Axon Vision (TASE: AXN) announced today a strategic cooperation agreement with Leonardo DRS to pursue opportunities in advanced situational awareness, lethality, and survivability, with special emphasis on Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions in the U.S. defense market. The partnership is expected to address a critical demand for on-platform AI-driven capabilities that support force protection and platform modernization. It positions both companies for expanded participation in large-scale programs seeking proven, scalable solutions.

Under the new Memorandum of Agreement, the cooperation between the companies leverages Leonardo DRS’ deep operational experience, advanced sensors and system integration capabilities along with Axon Vision’s AI-based perception and autonomy technologies. Together, the companies aim to deliver turnkey, next-generation combat systems that deliver low latency, high bandwidth sensor data management, enhance crew awareness, and enable automated threat engagement, focusing on C-UAS. This synergy underscores a shared commitment to enhancing mission effectiveness, protecting lives and delivering technological superiority on the modern battlefield.

The collaboration builds on an ongoing relationship between the two companies and a shared commitment to enhancing mission effectiveness, protecting lives and delivering technological superiority on the modern battlefield. Together the companies have jointly developed and demonstrated operational solutions embedding Axon Vision’s AI-based perception and automation capabilities into Leonardo DRS’ range of integrated multi-spectral, multi-function C-UAS mission packages, which include radar, electro-optical and infrared advanced sensors, rugged AI-ready processors, and both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors.

The most recent demonstration came at the Association of the United States Army’s exposition showcasing unmanned ground vehicle platforms hosting modular, reconfigurable Leonardo DRS mission payloads integrated with Axon Vision’s AI solutions for aerial threat detection & defeat and AI-enhanced smart remote-controlled weapon station capabilities. The combined offering is designed to significantly enhance a platforms’ lethality, autonomous operation, and situational awareness.

“We are excited to solidify our relationship with Axon by integrating advanced mission equipment packages with their AI-driven Counter-UAS and smart RCWS capabilities. It represents a decisive leap forward in manned and unmanned ground combat effectiveness,” said Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “By combining real-time aerial threat detection, autonomous or man-on-the-loop engagement, and enhanced situational awareness, this solution delivers unmatched lethality and operational superiority.”

“We are proud to partner with Leonardo DRS, a trusted and highly capable leader in the U.S. defense industry,” said Ido Rozenberg, president, CTO & co-founder of Axon Vision. “This collaboration marks a significant step in bringing Axon Vision’s advanced AI solutions to the U.S. defense market. Together, we are delivering a true powerhouse solution for combat vehicles, combining world-class sensing and integration with cutting-edge AI to enhance lethality, survivability, and overall battlefield dominance.”

Founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Ido Rozenberg, Raz Roditi, and Michael Zolotov, Axon Vision is a leading provider of AI-based operational systems for the defense market. Its solutions are trusted by the IDF and other military forces worldwide.

For further information, visit www.axon-vision.com.

Posted in AI / ML, Industry, International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Axon Vision Announce Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Leonardo DRS to Deliver AI-Enhanced Counter-UAS Solutions for US Market

2025 Microelectronics Commons Call for Projects

Monday, November 24th, 2025

The Microelectronics Commons program was established through the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) established by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division and is managed by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL).

It is a network of regional technology Hubs acting on a shared mission: to expand the nation’s global leadership in microelectronics.

Technology Areas Supported by the Microelectronics Commons:

5G/6G Technology
Artificial Intelligence Hardware
Commercial Leap Ahead Technologies
Electromagnetic Warfare
Secure Edge/IoT Computing
Quantum Technology

They have released their 2025 Call for Projects and are accepting white papers until 13 January 2026.

Learn more at nstxl.org/opportunity/mec-cfp-fy26.

Posted in AI / ML, EW, Industry | Comments Off on 2025 Microelectronics Commons Call for Projects

Launching the AI Model Arena

Saturday, November 22nd, 2025

The Defence AI Centre has worked with industry to develop a new tool that will help redefine how Defence evaluates and procures AI technologies.

The Defence AI Centre (DAIC) is launching the AIModel Arena to help redefine how Defence evaluates and procures artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The tool, developed in partnership with UK AIcompany Advai and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), will pilot a secure, standardised platform for suppliers to more rapidly test and demonstrate their models against Defence use cases.

The AI Model Arena will:

help UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) identify the best AI solutions and provide an objective ‘demonstration by doing’ mechanism for triaging into the Defence Tech Scaler and innovation pathways
enable more dynamic supplier interactions, significantly reducing timelines by assessing up to 100 models simultaneously and providing constructive feedback to suppliers, helping them to iterate their solutions
communicate priority Defence use cases and initial key requirements, ahead of the more comprehensive testing associated with pre-deployment stages, for any solutions that are triaged

The AI Model Arena will be a secure, vendor-neutral evaluation platform that can objectively assess models across 4 critical categories: performance, reliability, robustness, and security. These data-backed evaluations will be based on Defence-specific requirements such as JSP 936. Up to 100 suppliers can be phased through a down-selection process, ensuring the best-in-class solutions progress.

The AI Model Arena builds on work previously undertaken by the Royal Navy in partnership with Advai and the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), a Home Office unit solving public sector data challenges, where MOD first conducted independent side-by-side testing of AImodels from multiple suppliers. This approach supports more confident procurement decisions while mitigating risks and ensuring performance, robustness, and security in mission-specific scenarios. It will also help with earlier identification of the most promising models and suppliers, reducing procurement bottlenecks, accelerating innovation, and ensuring the most promising AI solutions are triaged for procurement teams to investigate further.

Head of DAIC, Commodore Rachel Singleton said:

This initiative is central to our ambition to adopt AI responsibly and at pace, ensuring we maintain a strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive landscape. I encourage all AI suppliers to engage with the AI Model Arena. This is your opportunity to showcase your capabilities, drive innovation, and help shape the future of Defence AI.

The AI Model Arena pilot provides a scalable solution to procurement challenges, improving performance, boosting confidence, and delivering cutting-edge AI capabilities to our warfighters in a much shorter timeframe. Falling in line with the ambitions outlined in Action 43 of the AI Opportunities Plan (2025), the tool can automate the evaluation of AI models against Defence benchmarks. This approach will ultimately deliver the same insight as more intensive review techniques, but with significantly shorter timelines.

The AI Model Arena will speed up the rate of AIadoption, in support of matching the demand outlined in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Its vendor-neutral processes support a level playing field for industry and enables the growth of UK small and medium-sized enterprises by identifying where they have an edge, helping advance a stronger sovereign AI ecosystem.

Achieving these strategic ambitions will result in the efficient procurement of secure, compliant and operationally ready AI systems for Defence.

By streamlining how we evaluate and procure AItechnologies, the AI Model Arena will help to reduce barriers to innovation, strengthen our defence industrial partnerships, and ensure our warfighters have access to the most advanced AIsolutions to operate, deter, fight and win. The AIModel Arena directly supports the SDR’s recommendation to harness cutting-edge technology and innovation to maintain the UK Defence’s strategic advantage. As part of MOD’s Digital Function, the DAIC enables and accelerates AI across Defence. The Digital Function is part of the newly formed National Armaments Director Group, which brings together acquisition, science, innovation and support functions under unified leadership to deliver capabilities faster and more efficiently for our Armed Forces.

The Defence AI Centre are aiming for the Model Arena to be live by DAIC Connect 2026 being held in March next year.

Find out more about the Defence AI Centre and stay up to date by following the DAIC on LinkedIn.

From UK Ministry of Defence

Posted in AI / ML, Guest Post, International | Comments Off on Launching the AI Model Arena

Civil Affairs, AI, and the Future of Army Readiness

Saturday, November 22nd, 2025

Soldiers from the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, executed a team-level validation exercise conducted October 20 – 24 2025. This annual training event enhances unit readiness and prepares Soldiers for complex missions worldwide. Following months of individual and collective training, Civil Affairs teams validated their skills in a realistic training scenario, designed to test Soldiers’ skills in a complex and dynamic environment.

Army Special Operations Forces Civil Affairs (ARSOF CA), is a branch of Soldiers specially trained to understand and influence the civil component of the operational environment. Civil Affairs professionals serve as an integral component in providing Commanders with key information about a region’s civilian population, enabling commanders to maintain operational tempo, preserve combat power, and consolidate gains. Capable of operating within the full spectrum of operations, ARSOF CA teams integrate with key populations and organizations to best understand civil networks to support national and theater-level objectives.

During Atlas Lion 26-1, two 4-person teams from Bravo Company of the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion navigated complex scenarios designed to evaluate months of tactical training. From engaging with local nationals to evacuating simulated casualties under hostile conditions, teams worked through multifaceted scenarios in a large-scale combat operations environment to prepare Soldiers for the unforeseen challenges overseas.

“This training environment replicates a large-scale combat operations environment. When we train, we train for the future,” explained Lt. Col. Michael Veglucci, Commander of the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion. “This gets after our core competencies and our Civil Affairs battle drills.”

After a week of validating their CA collective tasks, the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion partnered with Delta Company, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, to execute a comprehensive tabletop exercise. This exercise leveraged a one-of-a-kind artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) model that enabled leaders to certify their Company in the unit’s critical tasks, a groundbreaking shift in how the Army assesses readiness.

In a first full iteration for the formation, ARSOF CA conducted a company-level certification exercise without using humans as external evaluators. For decades, units relied on observers to monitor training and assess Soldier competencies. Today, that work is being done by AI.

Civil Affairs Soldiers, who typically find themselves engaging with civil populations to solve complex problems, suddenly found themselves interacting with role players and civilian leaders built into the AI model.

In an innovative approach to transform how Soldiers prepare for future conflicts across multiple operational environments, AI is helping standardize training. AI enables commanders to rapidly scale training without proportionally increasing resources. What was once expensive and resource-intensive feat is now being done with the stroke of a keyboard.

“What makes this AI model unique is that it is limitless in complexity and cohesion to give the training audience a valuable and effective training opportunity,” said Moran Keay, CEO and founder of Motive International, who ran the training. “This training provides commanders with an objective assessment of their formation’s ability to execute critical tasks before sending anyone overseas.”

During Atlas Lion, the AI model analyzed tens of thousands of data points using key performance indicators, a task previously impossible for human evaluators. By leveraging thousands of pages of doctrine, documents, and regulations, the model provided an unbiased assessment of the Company’s ability to conduct Civil Affairs tasks critical to mission success.

While some express skepticism about the role of AI in evaluating Soldiers whose primary role is to engage with civilian populations, the Army is adapting, modernizing, and transforming how it trains and certifies its troops.

As the Army continues to identify innovative ways to train and certify formations, Civil Affairs Soldiers are shaping the future of training. Through innovation and forward-thinking leadership, ARSOF CA is not only enhancing their readiness but also setting the standard for how the Army will train and certify its Soldiers to meet the demands of tomorrow’s missions.

Story MAJ Justin Zwick

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Photos by PFC Christina Randall

Posted in AI / ML, Army, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Civil Affairs, AI, and the Future of Army Readiness

xTechOverwatch Competition Showcases Autonomous Capabilities

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

BRYAN, Texas — U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command hosted xTechOverwatch for Unmanned Systems Oct. 27-29, 2025, at the Bush Combat Development Center – Innovation Proving Ground in Bryan, Texas, which provided industry partners and academia the ability to compete for opportunities to continue development integrated within the Army.

This invitation-only competition showcased cutting-edge autonomous unmanned system technologies from 40 selected industry teams, evaluated alongside private capital partners, as they integrate their solutions with the Army’s most lethal squads. Twenty teams were chosen to continue development with the Army.

These teams will work directly with Transformation in Contact formations from January 2026 to July 2027, providing the chance to influence the Army’s modernization strategy by accelerating autonomous capabilities.

This competitive assessment, facilitated by T2COM and key stakeholders, aimed to accelerate the adoption of autonomous systems in line with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s directive. Competitors demonstrated their air, ground, payload, and collaborative autonomy technologies on situational training lanes, providing a real-world assessment of their capabilities.

“xTechOverwatch was incredibly successful for the Army,” Lt. Col. Nick Rinaldi, competition lead, Army Applications Laboratory, said. “Having the entire ‘materiel kill chain’ as evaluators invested in the outcome was critical to the speed of decisions on which technologies were most suited to move into a TiC formation.”

Rinaldi continued, “this was a microcosm of how we have to do business. We have to engage industry on real problems we’re trying to solve, get their capabilities in a place where Soldier formations can actually use the equipment in context and in concert with other capabilities, and then make decision quickly.”

A critical component of this approach is the rapid fielding of experimental technologies to active-duty units. The competitors selected will be under contract within 60 days to work directly with the formations training cycle. This allows Soldiers to experiment with prototypes and provide crucial feedback, driving iterative improvements.

By exposing warfighters to cutting-edge advancements, the Army empowers them to adapt, anticipate challenges, and maintain relevance in the modern battlespace. Delaying this process risks forcing Soldiers to learn how to use these capabilities under the pressure of combat.

– US Army T2COM Public Affairs

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Scientific Systems’ Autonomy Software Achieves A Major Milestone in Test with Group of Unmanned Boats

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025

Advanced Software Enables Coordinated, Autonomous Execution of Complex Maritime Operations During Real-World Ocean Trial

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 18, 2025 — Scientific Systems, a defense software prime with expertise in maritime and multi-domain operations, announced today that its distributed AI-powered OPTIMUS autonomy software successfully executed a recent on-water test of multiple unmanned surface vessels (USVs) performing end-to-end cooperative mission activities. The weeklong maritime test demonstrates that Scientific Systems’ scalable autonomy software is ready now to support “intelligent affordable mass” — the deployment of swarms of autonomous low-cost platforms that use edge-based AI to dynamically coordinate, rapidly adapt, and dramatically increase survivability & lethality, to achieve mission intent in relevant scenarios.

The August demonstration featured a fleet of nine boats equipped with Scientific Systems’ AI-powered collaborative autonomy software. The software enabled the vessels to operate as an intelligent swarm, searching, monitoring, and engaging targets while avoiding obstacles with dynamic rerouting. This activity was a result of seamless integration of real-time sensing, sense-making, and AI decision-making in the decentralized system. Scientific Systems’ unique, decentralized autonomy software enables the formation of “smart swarms” — collaborative, adaptive teams of platforms that can execute complex missions in degraded communications environments. A single remote operator defines only the mission rules, intent, and key authorities, while the intelligent coordination and execution occur autonomously among the platforms within the contested network. This decentralizedapproach delivers major advantages over communications-dependent, centrally controlled systems, enabling mission plans to continue even with intermittent or lost communications and eliminating vulnerability to the loss of any single “leader” vessel—all while providing superior resilience, scalability, and security.

“This test underscores the critical role software plays in enabling affordable mass and autonomy at sea,” said Scientific Systems Chief Executive Officer Kunal Mehra. “We’re proud to support the mission of maritime operators and to advance the readiness of scalable, autonomous USV squadrons.”

Today’s announcement follows July’s unveiling of the VENOM small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (sUSV), developed to meet the Navy’s operational need for high-performance sUSV interceptors.

Scientific Systems’ software, integrated with the VENOM sUSV family—offered in 6-, 9-, and 13-meter models and extendable to other USVs—provides a flexible, mission-ready solution built around a modular, scalable autonomy stack tailored to customer-defined objectives.

Posted in AI / ML, Maritime, Press Release, UxS | Comments Off on Scientific Systems’ Autonomy Software Achieves A Major Milestone in Test with Group of Unmanned Boats