The U.S. Department of Defense has significantly raised its investment in artificial intelligence by increasing the spending limit for Palantir Technologies’ Maven Smart System to nearly $1.3 billion through 2029. The new funding, up from a $480 million ceiling set last year, adds $795 million for software licenses aimed at supporting U.S. combatant commands. Project Maven, which began in 2017, uses AI to analyze imagery and data from drones, satellites, and other sources, enabling faster identification and tracking of key targets. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) now manages the geospatial component of Maven, and recently awarded Palantir a $28 million contract to extend the system’s use among analysts.
Maven Smart System is now used by over 20,000 personnel across more than 35 tools in the military’s operational network, with adoption rapidly expanding. According to NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, the platform is significantly reducing the time required for target detection and engagement, with some operations now taking minutes instead of hours. He said, “Adoption by the U.S. combatant commands for the first year has been far greater than expectations. The much higher contract ceiling reflects the 'mass adoption of the Maven Smart System for geospatial awareness and targeting.’ Military leaders aim to enable units to make hundreds of real-time decisions per hour using AI-driven tools. The system combines expertise from Palantir, government agencies, and subcontractors to support data-driven decision-making across various branches of the armed forces.
