TLDR: Lockheed Martin has established a new subsidiary, Astris AI, aimed at integrating advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning operations (MLOps) into the U.S. defense industrial base and other sectors with stringent security and reliability needs. Astris AI will offer specialized AI platforms and consultative services to overcome deployment challenges in regulated environments.
Lockheed Martin, a global leader in security and aerospace, has announced the formation of Astris AI, a dedicated subsidiary designed to facilitate the secure adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across the U.S. defense industrial base and commercial industries demanding high assurance. The announcement, made in December 2024, underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advancing 21st Century Security® and strengthening national defense capabilities through technological innovation.
Astris AI’s core mission is to address the unique challenges associated with deploying AI in highly regulated environments, such as those within the defense sector, which has historically been slower to adopt AI due to concerns over sensitive data and complex security requirements.
The new subsidiary will provide customers with access to Lockheed Martin’s proprietary foundational AI tools, including its advanced Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) software capability and generative AI platforms. These platforms, developed within the Lockheed Martin AI Factory, are specifically tailored and certified for security in strictly regulated operations. Their open, modular architecture is designed to offer adaptability, cost benefits, and flexibility to evolve with rapid technological advancements.
Donna O’Donnell, Chief Revenue Officer of Astris AI, will lead the subsidiary. O’Donnell expressed confidence in Astris AI’s capabilities, stating, “By combining Lockheed Martin’s expertise with Astris AI’s agile approach, we’re enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving technology landscape with high assurance AI solutions that deliver secure and reliable interactions, compliance and responsible decision-making.”
Beyond software, Astris AI will offer comprehensive consultative engineering services. These services encompass AI strategy development, implementation support, training, and end-to-end AI model development and deployment. This holistic approach aims to empower organizations to maintain ownership and control over their AI tools, data, and solutions.
Greg Forrest, Director of AI Foundations at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the company’s significant strides in AI/ML, noting, “we’re excited to apply these advancements to support our customers and help strengthen the defense industrial base.” Mike Baylor, Chief Digital and AI Officer, further emphasized that the subsidiary aligns with Lockheed Martin’s strategy to integrate advanced AI into its 21st Century Security framework.
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Astris AI is the latest addition to Lockheed Martin’s ‘Evolve’ portfolio, an initiative launched in October 2022 to foster partnerships and scale new commercial and non-traditional businesses that bolster the defense industrial base. This move by Lockheed Martin also reflects a broader industry trend, with other defense technology companies, such as Anduril Industries, also engaging in partnerships to deploy advanced AI solutions for national security missions.
