Defense giant Raytheon announced Monday, July 29, that it will partner with Anacapa Micro Products, Inc. and Nara Logics, Inc. to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) systems for the US Navy.
The collaboration, under a new three-year mentorship program awarded by the Department of Navy, aims to enhance the decision-making capabilities of servicemen and women by accelerating the development of autonomous technologies.
Taking Charge of AI Development for the Navy
Under the mentorship program, Raytheon will guide both Anacapa Micro Products and Nara Logics in developing AI systems for a variety of naval platforms.
The partnership will focus on areas such as system design, software architecture, and cybersecurity.
“The Mentor Protégé Program is an essential element of our overall supplier diversity small business strategy,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, in a statement.
Whelan explained that by teaming up with smaller, more agile companies, Raytheon will be able to tap into cutting-edge commercial technologies “that can make meaningful contributions to our defense capabilities and ultimately, the success of our servicemen and women.”
About the Mentees
Anacapa Micro Products brings a wealth of experience to the table in providing IT (information technology) hardware, software, and security solutions.
With a strong track record of delivering products and services to government agencies, including the Federal Systems Integrators and Department of Homeland Security, the company is well-positioned to contribute to the development of robust and secure AI systems.
“Our organization is very proud to be a partner with Raytheon under this Mentor Protégé Agreement and we’re looking forward to supporting the development, production and testing of next-generation AI to better serve the warfighter,” stated Ken Marks, CEO of Anacapa Micro Products.
Meanwhile, Nara Logics, specializing in synaptic intelligence applications, offers cutting-edge software solutions that have the potential to revolutionize AI capabilities.
Their expertise in developing advanced algorithms and models will be instrumental in creating intelligent systems that can analyze vast amounts of data and make informed decisions.
“We are privileged to participate in this Mentor Protégé relationship that will enhance our joint technical abilities to deliver critical mission support functionality on emerging defense and intelligence platforms,” said Jana Eggers, CEO of Nara Logics.
The combination of Anacapa Micro Products’ hardware and infrastructure expertise with Nara Logics’ software development capabilities creates a powerful synergy.
The Mentor-Protégé Program
The Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) fosters collaboration between large defense contractors and small businesses.
Established in the early 1990s during the First Gulf War, the MPP has played a critical role in bridging the gap between small businesses and major defense players, increasing their capabilities, and contributing to national security.
Raytheon, an active participant since 1991, has a long history of mentoring numerous companies through this vital Department of Defense initiative, which continues to be a cornerstone of defense industry development and innovation.
USS America (LHA 6) conducts a Phalanx Close-In Weapons System live-fire exercise, 2021. (DVIDS)
The development of AI for military applications is a rapidly growing field, and the Navy is investing heavily in this area.
With Raytheon partnering with these two promising small businesses, the Navy hopes to gain a competitive advantage in the development and deployment of AI-enabled systems.
—
Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.
