US Special Operations Command is expanding its ability to run artificial intelligence (AI) directly in the field, awarding Bridge Defense a $99.7-million contract to develop deployable edge computing systems for disconnected operations.
The contract covers the production of AI-enabled edge compute systems known as ComputeBridge Pods.
The pods are intended to enable forward units to perform advanced analytics and run AI workloads on-site, including sensor analysis and model inference, without relying on cloud connectivity or centralized data centers.
Hardware, Software, and System Integration
The ComputeBridge Pods program brings together three industry partners, each responsible for a core component of the system.
Bridge Defense serves as the lead integrator, overseeing system design, hardware and software integration, and delivery of a field-ready platform.
Universal Edge Technologies supplies high-density edge computing hardware and immersion cooling systems, enabling sustained GPU performance in compact units suited for harsh environments.
Software integration is supported by Palantir Technologies’ Mission Manager platform, which provides tools for managing AI workloads, monitoring deployed systems, and supporting secure software deployment across dispersed locations.
Aki Jain, president of Palantir PSG, said Mission Manager “delivers unmatched flexibility, security, and interoperability, allowing our federal partners to focus on achieving their critical mission objectives.”
The production contract follows a prototype phase under the iCool program, which validated the feasibility and operational viability of the ComputeBridge Pod.
