NatSec@Work - National Security Workforce - July Issue

Workforce Trends

Key concern? Data privacy and hallucination control. Expect contractors to invest big in red-teaming models and integrating human-in-the-loop validation. AI Ethics and Oversight Get Serious AI’s power is clear—but so is the need for guardrails. In 2025, nearly every defense contractor is hiring AI ethicists, establishing internal review boards, and building model documentation pipelines. Why? Because DoD mandates and public scrutiny are catching up to the tech. Compliance isn’t a checkbox. It’s now a competitive advantage—especially in contract awards involving autonomy or lethal decision support. Speed is the New Metric Traditionally, acquisition cycles have been long. But AI development doesn’t wait 18 months for a contract mod. That’s why contractors are embracing DevSecOps pipelines, rapid prototyping, and modular architectures that allow for quick iteration. Contractors that win in 2025 are the ones who can deploy AI models fast, test them under pressure, and improve them without breaking security protocols. A NatSec Imperative From space to seabed, air to cyber, AI is being used to make decisions faster, secure systems smarter, and train warfighters better. And with DoD investments surging and battlefield requirements evolving, AI isn’t just a tech trend—it’s a national security imperative. The real question? Who will lead, who will lag, and who will make AI truly mission-ready. And are you ready to join a contractor on the AI mission?

WHAT ARE DEFENSE CONTRACTORS DOING WITH AI IN 2025?

Autonomy Isn’t Optional Anymore Uncrewed systems (UxS) are getting smarter. Contractors are moving beyond simple GPS-based nav to full- on autonomous pathfinding, object recognition, and swarm coordination. AI is the brain behind it all. The Navy’s “Ghost Fleet Overlord” program? Powered in part by contractor- led AI autonomy. Companies like Shield AI and Kratos are building aircraft that fly themselves—and learn as they go. Cyber + AI = Constant Vigilance With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, defense contractors are combining AI with cybersecurity tools to detect intrusions, predict vulnerabilities, and harden critical systems. Think threat hunting at machine speed. Northrop Grumman and Parsons are developing AI tools that sift through oceans of log data to flag anomalies in seconds—not hours.

Training Simulations Go Next-Gen

Gone are the days of static PowerPoint drills. AI-powered simulations now adapt in real-time, challenging warfighters based on their skill level, decisions, and even stress responses. It’s like a military- grade version of a video game that learns how to beat you. Contractors are leveraging generative AI and natural language processing to power dynamic training—where the “enemy” adapts its strategy mid-mission. It’s personalized, scalable, and being adopted across service branches. Generative AI Is Being Tamed (and Secured) Yes, everyone wants in on the generative AI game. But in defense, it’s about controlled environments, secure data, and mission-specific outputs—not novelty. Contractors are building GenAI systems to summarize ISR intel, draft operational plans, and speed up decision cycles.

By Jill Hamilton

AI and the Tactical Edge One of the hottest areas this year is edge AI. Contractors are building models that can run without constant cloud connectivity—on aircraft, in submarines, on handheld soldier devices. These AI tools operate in low-bandwidth, high- risk environments and deliver mission- relevant insights without pinging a server in Virginia. Booz Allen’s edge AI push includes ruggedized hardware + deployable ML models. Anduril is rolling out autonomous systems for border monitoring and ISR missions with built-in real-time AI processing.

Operationalizing AI for the Warfighter AI isn’t just being built—it’s being deployed. Defense contractors are

In 2025 , artificial intelligence isn’t a side project for defense contractors—it’s the main event. From the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiatives to tactical edge deployments in contested environments, AI has officially moved from the lab to the frontlines. And contractors? They’re no longer asking if they should adopt AI. The only question is how fast they can scale it. Here’s a look at how the biggest players— and the most agile upstarts—are weaving AI into the fabric of national defense.

embedding AI into systems that provide real-time decision support, detect threats faster, and reduce cognitive load for commanders. In 2025, think AI-powered targeting, predictive maintenance, and ISR platforms that do more than collect— they interpret. Lockheed Martin is leaning heavily into edge AI for aircraft and drone systems. Raytheon is building on autonomous threat detection and countermeasure systems. Palantir? Still doing big data fusion—but faster, smarter, and more forward-deployed.