The U.S. Department of Defense is taking a major step toward deeper AI integration, with plans to institutionalise a key artificial intelligence platform across its military operations.
According to a memo dated March 9, Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg stated that Palantir’s Maven Smart System will be designated as an official “program of record.” This move secures long-term funding and accelerates adoption of the AI-driven targeting platform across all branches of the U.S. military. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year in September.
Maven is a command-and-control platform that processes battlefield data to identify potential targets. It is already widely deployed and serves as a primary AI system within U.S. military operations. The designation will streamline procurement and integration, while oversight of the program will shift from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to the Pentagon’s Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Office within 30 days. Future contracts related to the system will be managed by the U.S. Army.
In the memo, Mr. Feinberg said embedding the system would equip warfighters “with the latest tools necessary to detect, deter, and dominate our adversaries in all domains”. He further emphasized, “It is imperative that we invest now and with focus to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the Joint Force and establish AI-enabled decision-making as the cornerstone of our strategy.”
The development marks a significant boost for Palantir, which has secured multiple government contracts, including a deal with the U.S. Army worth up to $10 B. These wins have contributed to a sharp rise in the company’s valuation, now nearing $360 B.
Maven’s capabilities include analyzing large volumes of data from satellites, drones, radars, and intelligence sources to identify threats such as military vehicles, infrastructure, and weapons stockpiles. Demonstrations have shown that processes that once took hours can now be completed rapidly using AI-driven insights.
However, the growing use of AI in defense has raised concerns. United Nations expert panels have warned that AI-led targeting without human oversight could pose ethical, legal, and security risks. Palantir maintains that its system does not make lethal decisions, with humans responsible for selecting and approving targets.
Originally developed under Project Maven in 2017, the system has evolved significantly. In 2024, the Pentagon awarded Palantir a contract worth up to $480 Mn, later increased to $1.3 B in May 2025. One challenge in further adoption is its integration with Anthropic’s Claude AI, which has been flagged as a potential supply chain risk by the Pentagon.
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