Anduril: Real-Time AI Edge Computing

Anduril Expands Capabilities with Klas Acquisition

Anduril Industries announced its ninth acquisition on Monday, securing Dublin-based Klas, a developer of robust edge computing solutions designed for military and emergency response personnel.

The financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, and the deal is pending regulatory clearance. However, Anduril confirmed that Klas currently employs a workforce of 150 individuals.

Introducing Menace-T: A Portable Command Center

Concurrent with the Klas announcement, Anduril unveiled a new product, designated Menace-T.

The product name is noteworthy, particularly considering Menace-T is fundamentally a combined compute and network connectivity solution, rather than a traditional weapon system. This contrasts with naming conventions seen in the industry, such as Lockheed Martin’s C2BMC system.

Voyager Integration and Edge Computing

Klas’s primary offering, the Voyager platform, represents a family of ruggedized computing and networking systems. Anduril had previously incorporated Voyager into its existing Menace command center products.

Voyager has also been seamlessly integrated with Anduril’s core Lattice software. Lattice leverages sensors and artificial intelligence to enable functionalities like object recognition and identification.

Unlike conventional portable command systems that often require truck-mounted setups, Menace-T is designed for rapid deployment. It can be configured by a single person within minutes, utilizing just two carry-on cases.

The system’s primary objective is to deliver edge computing and communication capabilities to remote or challenging environments. Anduril reports that Menace-T is currently deployed in both military ground vehicles and naval vessels.

Supporting the IVAS Program

A significant application for Menace-T lies in providing compute and communication support for the military’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) virtual reality headsets.

Initially, the IVAS project was awarded to Microsoft in 2018, with a proposal to develop ruggedized HoloLens headsets for soldiers. The initial budget allocated to the project reached $21.9 billion.

However, following several years of developmental challenges, Anduril assumed leadership of the contract in February, though Microsoft continues as a cloud services provider.

Prior to the acquisition, Lattice’s computer vision AI had already been integrated into Microsoft’s IVAS headsets, enhancing their ability to detect, track, and categorize objects.

Anduril believes that the technology acquired from Klas, which underpins the Menace-T product, can address some of the remaining issues with IVAS, specifically concerning reliable data processing.

Future Applications and Commercial Potential

Tom Keane, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Anduril, explained at a press briefing that “Klas technology can help” soldiers communicate at the tactical edge, sending and receiving data, and controlling autonomous systems.

He further noted that Klas has been supplying technology to the IVAS program for several years, and Anduril anticipates expanding this collaboration.

Beyond its focus on military applications, the advancements in edge computing have broader implications for various fields. These include automotive, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring, such as pollution detection.

While Anduril’s current emphasis is on military and law enforcement applications, the successful resolution of edge computing challenges for IVAS could unlock substantial commercial opportunities for the technology.

Anduril has not dismissed the possibility of pursuing these commercial avenues in the future.

According to Keane, the technology and products from Klas are applicable to a wide range of sectors, including military, national security, law enforcement, and autonomous systems. Anduril, alongside its partners, remains committed to supporting customers across these diverse use cases.