Defense technology firm Anduril Industries has acquired Blue Force Technologies, a North Carolina-based autonomous aircraft developer known for its expertise in aerostructures. The deal is set to enhance Anduril's current autonomous fleet with the inclusion of large, group 5 aircraft, extending its influence within the Department of Defense. Specific financial terms of the acquisition were not released.
Blue Force Technologies is recognized for its design and production of composite aircraft and components. Since 2019, the company has been focusing on "Fury," an autonomous air vehicle boasting fighter-like performance. Utilizing proprietary techniques in rapid prototyping, digital engineering, and an open architectural framework, Fury is engineered to achieve next-gen flight performance. This is complemented by its adaptability in integrating a diverse array of sensors and payloads tailored for air dominance tasks. Recent achievements for the company include successful flight software testing using a Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) and a ground test for Fury’s unique carbon fiber composite propulsion flowpath system.
Anduril's acquisition plan involves significant funding to further the Fury project, enhance North Carolina manufacturing processes, and speed up the evolution of pivotal tech areas, such as autonomous collaboration platforms. Anduril’s approach, characterized by using its own resources for research and development, facilitates swift responses in engineering, prototyping, development, and production of new tech for the Department of Defense.
In today's climate of strategic competition, these developments play a crucial role in maintaining deterrence. The Department of Defense is leaning towards incorporating vast numbers of smaller, more cost-effective, autonomous systems for tasks like force projection and aggression deterrence. U.S. military branches including the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have all indicated their interest in adopting these advanced autonomous solutions. Essential to these endeavors is powerful software allowing operators to control several assets simultaneously for multifaceted missions.
This acquisition comes after Anduril’s launch of the AI-driven Lattice for Mission Autonomy software platform. The platform allows multiple autonomous systems to collaborate seamlessly, achieving intricate missions under human oversight. By channeling investments into both software and hardware, Anduril aims to expedite the growth of autonomous operations, such as manned-unmanned collaboration and other essential advanced autonomous solutions, catering to global defense needs.
With a rich history in creating integrated autonomous solutions, Anduril has automated operations for numerous robotic systems worldwide. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting the Department of Defense and allied military forces in swiftly deploying autonomous and AI-driven systems.
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