Advances in machine learning and deep learning are expanding defense system capabilities, but only if that AI can survive and compute in extreme environments. Turning breakthrough AI technologies into mission-ready capabilities requires more than raw compute power. It takes ruggedized design, advanced thermal management, and a system-level approach. At Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, we don’t just shrink a data center. We harden it, optimize it, and embed it into the field.
Built for the Mission. Proven at the Edge.
Curtiss-Wright transforms breakthrough AI into field-deployable, mission-ready solutions.
The Challenge of AI at the Edge
AI is reshaping defense and aerospace operations, driving advancements in everything from autonomous vehicles to sophisticated sensor fusion. Unlike commercial applications, military platforms cannot depend on pristine, climate-controlled data centers. To deploy AI-enabled capabilities reliably at the edge, within jet fighters, naval vessels, and ground vehicles operating in the most demanding environments, key challenges must be overcome.
Thermal Management Issues
Survivability
Security
Networking & Bandwidth
SWaP Constraints
Why Data Center Hardware Falls Short
Most AI accelerators, GPUs, CPUs, and specialized processors are designed for stable, power-rich server farms. When exposed to battlefield conditions, they overheat, throttle, or fail altogether. That’s why defense programs turn to Curtiss-Wright. We reengineer the most advanced silicon from partners like Intel® and NVIDIA® into rugged, mission-ready solutions that thrive where others fail.
Commercial Silicon, Military Hardened.
Curtiss-Wright engineers reimagine COTS processors to thrive in the most demanding domains.
Curtiss-Wright’s Approach: From Edge to Mission Success
Delivering AI at the edge requires more than boards. Curtiss-Wright combines expertise across multiple domains to create integrated, deployable solutions:
GPU-, CPU-, and FPGA-based cards designed to deliver consistent inference performance in harsh conditions.
Proven conduction- and liquid-cooled designs that keep high-density processors operating at peak efficiency.
High-speed, defense-grade Ethernet switches and routers to handle real-time sensor data.
Encrypted, rugged storage systems that protect mission-critical data.
From modular building blocks to fully integrated mission computers, we deliver complete solutions built to open standards.
Unleash Edge AI Performance.
Curtiss-Wright combines compute, networking, and security to deliver mission-ready AI.
AI Fielded Today
Curtiss-Wright AI solutions delivering capabilities across domains:
Unmanned Systems
On-board AI at the edge is reshaping unmanned platforms by enabling faster autonomy, sensor fusion, and target identification without relying on ground links. Curtiss-Wright’s rugged AI compute, networking, and secure storage solutions enable UAVs, UGVs, and UUVs to process mission data locally, maintaining performance even in GPS-denied or EW-contested environments. This ensures continuity of navigation, threat response, and route planning under extreme conditions.
Real-time inference | Local autonomy processing | Continuously operating in comms-denied environments
Airborne ISR & EW
Airborne ISR and EW missions generate massive radar, EO/IR, SIGINT, and EW workloads that demand high-performance AI at the tactical edge. Curtiss-Wright’s rugged compute modules, high-speed networking fabrics, and secure, high-throughput storage enable aircraft to run AI/ML algorithms on board, reducing latency and ensuring operators receive immediate insights for time-sensitive targeting and threat detection. Designed for high-altitude, high-vibration, SWaP-constrained environments, our defense AI solutions deliver consistent, mission-ready performance.
Sub-millisecond data paths | High-bandwidth sensor ingest | Ruggedized for extreme vibration & temperature
Maritime Operations
Modern naval operations rely on edge AI to transform large volumes of sensor data, encompassing sonar, radar, EO/IR, navigation, and situational awareness inputs, into actionable intelligence. Curtiss-Wright provides rugged, thermally optimized compute and secure storage systems built to thrive in corrosive, high-humidity, shock- and vibration-heavy maritime environments. By enabling on-board processing, vessels and unmanned naval systems gain faster threat detection, improved tracking, and resilient autonomous behaviors.
Multi-sensor fusion | Mission processing unaffected by humidity and salt fog | AI-enabled threat classification
Command & Control (C2)
Effective command and control depends on timely intelligence, even when communications are degraded or contested. Curtiss-Wright brings rugged AI and real-time processing to the tactical edge, allowing C2 nodes to run inference, triage sensor inputs, and prioritize mission data locally. With secure storage, resilient networking, and MOSA-aligned compute solutions, operators can maintain situational awareness and accelerate the observe, orient, decide, act (OODA) decision cycle across dynamic operational environments.
Edge inference for rapid decision-making | High-assurance secure storage | Resilient performance in contested comms
AI Across Domains.
Real-time, on-platform intelligence for air, land, sea, and command operations.
Proven. Trusted. Fielded.
MIL-STD Qualified
Trusted Supply Chain
Deployed Systems
Lifecycle Support
Your Partner for AI at the Edge
At Curtiss-Wright, we don’t just deliver hardware. We partner with customers to architect, integrate, and sustain AI-enabled systems to ensure our service members always have the latest capabilities where and when they need them.
Mission-first Collaboration.
Partner with Curtiss-Wright to design, integrate, and sustain AI-enabled defense systems.
We bring the power of data center AI to the edge — hardened, secure, and ready for the most challenging missions.
Contact our team to get started.
