Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are giving the U.S. defense sector a crucial speed boost, as military operations increasingly rely on faster decision-making and enhanced technological integration. Lockheed Martin, a leading defense contractor, is leveraging AI and ML as part of its 21st-century Security vision to stay ahead of global rivals who are rapidly advancing their own capabilities.
Steve Walker, Ph.D., Lockheed Martin’s Chief Technology Officer, explains that modern warfare requires superiority across all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyber. AI/ML technologies are essential for connecting systems in these areas, enabling militaries to sense, analyze, and act faster than adversaries. The deterrence value of this speed is critical, as it signals to potential adversaries that U.S. forces and their allies hold a strategic advantage. Lockheed Martin is integrating AI across its platforms and processes, transforming everything from how weapons systems are designed to how they perform in the field.
Lockheed Martin’s AI capabilities go beyond just developing cutting-edge weapons; they also extend to internal processes. For example, the Lockheed Martin AI Center (LAIC) ensures that AI technologies are applied with solid engineering practices. This approach is already making a significant difference, particularly in areas like autonomy, command, and control. In one case, Lockheed Martin worked with the U.S. Navy to use AI to improve the Aegis Combat System, helping destroyers intercept drones and missiles more effectively. By analyzing radar data, the AI-driven updates provided rapid software enhancements that boosted operational capabilities.
The company's ability to scale AI across various mission requirements sets it apart. Rod Makoske, Senior vice president of Engineering and technology, notes that Lockheed Martin has invested heavily in machine-learning operations (MLOps) and warfighting simulations, building a robust infrastructure that supports AI integration across different military platforms. This setup allows AI to control autonomous UAVs and interact with crewed platforms, ships, and even space and cyber technologies. Such complexity requires trusted environments for AI development and testing, which Lockheed Martin has spent years perfecting.
One of the more exciting AI projects Lockheed Martin is working on is the integration of large language models (LLMs), such as the Lockheed Martin Text Navigator. Hosted on the company’s secure AI Factory, this tool is already being used by over 34,000 employees, enhancing productivity and speeding up tasks. These AI tools are improving internal operations and transforming how the company approaches defense projects. For instance, Lockheed Martin’s ARISE toolkit, which builds digital twins of weapons systems, allows developers to simulate and test systems long before live trials, reducing both development time and costs.
Walker is particularly enthusiastic about the future of human-machine interaction in defense. He believes large language models powered by generative AI (GenAI) could help military decision-makers rapidly assess battlefield situations, providing quick, accurate insights. However, these models must be tailored to avoid AI "hallucinations," where inaccuracies or false information could hinder effective decision-making. By training models on internal data, Lockheed Martin is working to ensure that AI will become a reliable partner in defense planning and operations.
Ethical use of AI is also a top priority for Lockheed Martin. The company was among the first to adopt the Department of Defense’s five principles of AI ethics—responsibility, equity, traceability, reliability, and governance. This commitment ensures that AI remains safe, transparent, and controllable while advancing military capabilities. Lockheed Martin has also developed AI ethics training for its workforce. He actively collaborates with government and industry leaders to shape the future of AI ethics in defense.
Looking ahead, both Walker and Makoske see AI as a game-changer for the defense sector over the next five to ten years. While AI will not make independent decisions in U.S. military operations, it will help service members make faster, more informed decisions. This speed is vital as adversaries are developing their own AI technologies, increasing the pace and complexity of modern threats. AI will have profound implications for cyber warfare, where attacks happen quickly, forcing defense systems to respond in real-time. As the defense sector accelerates into the AI era, Lockheed Martin positions itself to lead the charge.