Lockheed Martin and Microsoft on Nov. 16 announced a landmark expansion of their strategic relationship to help power the next generation of technology for the Department of Defense (DOD).
The game-changing agreement will span four critical areas for the DOD:
- Classified Cloud Innovations: Microsoft's latest secure framework will make Lockheed Martin the first non-government entity to independently operate inside the Microsoft Azure Government Secret cloud ushering in a new era of cloud opportunities for industry.
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Modeling and Simulation Capabilities: Lockheed Martin and Microsoft have entered a two-year collaborative research and development (R&D) program that will advance AI/ML and modeling and simulation capabilities for the DOD.
- 5G.MIL Programs: The R&D agreement also expands the companies' existing collaboration to deliver advanced networking and secure 5G capabilities at the tactical edge.
Digital Transformation: Microsoft Azure will power Lockheed Martin's digital transformation journey, accelerating enterprise-wide productivity gains to deliver innovation at scale, enhance choice and flexibility, and create the next generation of defense technologies.
Strategic Perspectives
Yvonne Hodge, senior vice president, Enterprise Business and Digital Transformation, and chief information officer, Lockheed Martin, said, "Through this historic agreement, Lockheed Martin and Microsoft are blazing a new path in classified cloud, artificial intelligence, and 5G.MIL capabilities for the Department of Defense. We are creating faster, safer, and more affordable 21st Century Security solutions that infuse immersive experiences and other advanced commercial technologies into the most capable defense systems. We are confident this unrivaled combination of capabilities will help keep our customers ahead of new threats and challenges."
Jason Zander, executive vice president, Strategic Missions and Technologies, Microsoft: "Our national security leaders need an unassailable information advantage, which is why we're bringing the power of the hyperscale cloud to accelerate their national security missions. In partnership with Lockheed Martin, we're demonstrating how the defense industrial base can bring classified data into the cloud securely while bringing advanced 5G connectivity, critical data processing and analysis, and immersive experiences to the edge to support decision- making where it's needed, when it's needed. Lockheed Martin is a valued partner in this effort, and we'll continue to innovate and explore the art of the possible to support national security."
