Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japanese AI semiconductor company EdgeCortix have signed a multi-year agreement to develop AI-enabled technologies for next-generation aerial defense systems.
The initial program, valued at several million dollars, will run from 2026 to 2028 and cover technology development, feasibility studies, system integration, and prototype platform development.
Edge AI for Aerial Defense
The collaboration will examine how edge artificial intelligence computing can improve the intelligence, adaptability, and operational resilience of future aerial defense platforms.
EdgeCortix will provide its chiplet-based AI computing platform, MERA compiler and software framework, and related AI acceleration technologies.
These systems process AI workloads close to where data is generated and operational decisions are made. They are also built to work within the strict power, thermal, performance, and reliability limits of aerospace and defense platforms.
Kawasaki will bring its experience in aerospace and defense systems integration. The Japanese company develops aircraft, engines, unmanned systems, and other defense technologies.
“Next-generation aerial defense platforms will require substantial AI computing capability within tightly constrained power, thermal and operational envelopes,” said Dr. Sakyasingha Dasgupta, founder and chief executive of EdgeCortix.
“By combining Kawasaki’s deep aerospace and systems engineering expertise with our chiplet-based AI architecture and MERA software platform, we intend to accelerate the development of intelligent, adaptive and energy-efficient mission systems.”
