The U.S. Army is partnering with defense startup EdgeRunner AI to develop an onboard “AI brain” that enables ground robots and drones to navigate, detect threats and continue missions when communications are jammed or internet access is unavailable. The effort, led with the Army Research Laboratory, reflects Washington’s push to harden autonomous systems for contested environments as the U.S. competes with China, which dominates drone manufacturing. Executives say the software prioritizes mission-specific intelligence over generalized AI and emphasizes transparent datasets and safety guardrails. Still in development, the technology aims to bolster situational awareness and logistics on the battlefield—while reducing reliance on satellite links such as Starlink that could expose positions.
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