Defence agreement valued at US$4.2 million
Shares of Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ:PDYN) rose 4% on Tuesday after the company announced it had secured a US$4.2 million contract with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to support the development of advanced autonomous swarming capabilities for integrated multi-domain military operations.
The programme, known as Hierarchical Adaptive Networked Game-Theoretic Integration of Multiple Echelons (HANGTIME), will use Palladyne AI’s SwarmOS platform to coordinate autonomous systems operating across space, air, sea and land environments.
Project expands SwarmOS into space operations
The HANGTIME initiative represents the first time Palladyne AI’s technology will incorporate satellite systems, extending the SwarmOS platform beyond terrestrial applications into orbital operations.
The project is designed to enable autonomous assets—including drones, satellites and maritime platforms—to function as a coordinated network, sharing information and adapting to changing operational conditions in real time.
“Our collaboration with AFRL showcases what’s next for autonomous operations,” said Ben Wolff, President and CEO of Palladyne AI. “This isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about giving them sharper, faster insight. By connecting satellite, aerial, and ground systems using the patented SwarmOS embodied AI platform as a foundational technology, we’re helping the warfighter make better decisions in real time and stay one step ahead on the battlefield.”
Focus on AI-powered defence systems
Palladyne AI develops artificial intelligence software for robotic platforms serving both defence and commercial markets.
Its SwarmOS platform is the defence-focused version of the company’s Palladyne Pilot embodied AI software, designed to coordinate multiple autonomous systems through a unified AI framework.
The HANGTIME programme will combine satellites, high-altitude assets and unmanned platforms into an integrated sensor network capable of supporting coordinated decision-making across multiple operational domains.