Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division completed a live demonstration of AI‑driven mission contingency management on a Stalker XE Block 25 unmanned aerial vehicle and an Alta X 2.0 drone on December 4, 2025. The AI system automatically replanned the Stalker’s mission within seconds after a simulated fuel contingency, reassigned tasks to the Alta X, and directed the Stalker to return to base. The demonstration also integrated the UAVs with a unified command‑and‑control node that managed an unmanned ground vehicle in Kansas, illustrating a multi‑domain autonomous network.
The test showcases the STAR.OS platform’s ability to orchestrate AI services across air, ground, and synthetic environments. By enabling real‑time decision making in contested settings, the platform demonstrates a key capability that Lockheed Martin is positioning as a core component of its 21st Century Security strategy.
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, said the test proves AI can move from the lab to the battlefield, delivering autonomous decision‑making and rapid data flow between unmanned vehicles. He added that fusing UAV replanning with UGV capabilities gives warfighters speed, safety, and confidence in contested environments.
The demonstration aligns with Lockheed Martin’s broader AI strategy, which has already driven a 21% increase in sales in the Aeronautics segment and a 10% rise in the Missiles & Fire Control segment during Q3 2025. The company’s Q3 2025 revenue of $18.6 billion, up from $17.1 billion in Q3 2024, reflects strong demand for advanced autonomous systems, and the company raised its full‑year 2025 EPS guidance to $22.15–$22.35, signaling confidence in continued growth.
While the demonstration itself does not directly impact quarterly earnings, it positions Lockheed Martin to win future contracts that require integrated AI and multi‑domain operations. The company’s backlog of $179 billion and its focus on AI‑enabled platforms suggest that the technology showcased could translate into new revenue streams and reinforce Lockheed Martin’s competitive advantage in defense procurement.
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