Rising software firm Picogrid has successfully integrated its Legion software, designed as a „universal translator” between previously incompatible systems, into Palantir’s Maven Smart System (MSS), a widely used military AI platform that aggregates data from diverse sensors.
Bridging the Gap Between Legacy Systems and Modern AI
The integration addresses a critical challenge for the Pentagon, which is heavily invested in AI-enhanced, multi-domain command networks but faces the reality that many older „legacy” systems are unable to communicate with each other. Picogrid’s technology aims to bridge this gap, enabling seamless data flow between disparate systems and modern AI platforms.
„Our focus has always been on breaking down data silos,” said Picogrid CEO Zane Mountcastle in a press release. „By connecting Legion’s rich, real-time data streams directly into Maven’s powerful analytics engine, we’re giving commands the fastest, most complete picture of the battlefield.”
Field-Tested at Scarlet Dragon Exercise
The real-world capabilities of the integrated systems were demonstrated at a Scarlet Dragon interservice exercise hosted by the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. Picogrid and Palantir jointly showcased real-time data streaming from field-deployed sensors and drones into MSS.
Growing Partnerships and Expanding Capabilities
Picogrid’s partnership with Palantir follows three years of securing contracts with various branches of the military, including the Space Force, Air Force, and Army, as well as supporting efforts in Ukraine. The company recently announced a partnership with Northrop Grumman to integrate Legion into Northrop’s AI-powered counter-drone command system, AiON.
Leveraging AI to Accelerate Integration
Getting previously incompatible legacy systems to communicate in a common digital language requires extensive engineering. However, Picogrid co-founder Martin Slosarik explained that recent advancements in AI are accelerating this process, enabling engineers to accomplish more in months than they previously could in a year.
Picogrid’s team uses Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze technical documents and answer engineers’ questions about various systems. The LLMs can even generate some of the required code, although human oversight is still necessary to ensure the quality and usability of the output.
Once Picogrid has deciphered a legacy system, they develop hardware and software add-ons that enable it to communicate using modern, standardized protocols and APIs. This allows the system to interface with other Picogrid-upgraded systems and modern command-and-control systems. Picogrid’s solution can often replace multiple bulky boxes of legacy tech with a single streamlined unit, according to Slosarik.
Expanding Production Capacity
Picogrid opened a new 25,000-square-foot facility in El Segundo in May, tripling its production capacity, and plans to add another site in Oklahoma in the future.
