Northrop Grumman and Picogrid, a California-based defense technology firm, have entered into a collaboration to modernize software systems for U.S. military air defense.
As part of the agreement, Picogrid will integrate its Legion software with Northrop Grumman’s AiON system, which controls defenses against drones. This integration allows operators to oversee multiple sites remotely and respond efficiently to a broad spectrum of threats, including low-cost drones, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions.
Experts have noted that legacy, closed systems struggle to adapt to the pace of modern warfare. By adopting open, modular platforms, the Department of Defense aims to reduce costs, accelerate deployment, and ensure seamless interoperability among different tools. The collaboration also supports initiatives such as the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (established in 2022) and the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (2024), as well as compliance with the Pentagon’s Modular Open Systems Approach, which promotes standardization and minimizes duplication. In February, the DoD released a guidebook detailing the implementation of this approach.
