BigBear.ai, a leading provider of mission-ready artificial intelligence for national security, announced a strategic partnership with C Speed, LLC (C Speed), a U.S.-based leader in radar and defense solutions and a NewSpring Holdings platform company. Through this collaboration, the companies will integrate BigBear.ai’s ConductorOS AI orchestration platform with C Speed’s software-defined LightWave Radar (LWR) system to deliver intelligent, autonomous, and real-time threat detection and decision support for global defense and homeland security customers.
The partnership centers on embedding AI-enabled threat detection, reporting, and response capabilities into C Speed’s LightWave Radar portfolio, which supports critical air and missile defense and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (cUAS) missions. C Speed’s American-made radars are currently deployed across multiple Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, and international partner operations, offered in both aerostat-based and tower-based configurations.
By combining their technologies, BigBear.ai and C Speed aim to enhance operational awareness and decision-making at the tactical edge. The collaboration will also leverage BigBear.ai’s growing global footprint, including expanded operations in the Middle East supported by the company’s new office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Both organizations share strategic growth priorities across key U.S. Customs and Border Protection initiatives, national security programs, and high-impact Department of War missions.
Also Read: GeologicAI Expands Critical Minerals Capabilities with Acquisition of Lumo Analytics
“Securing complex borders and high-consequence environments requires intelligent systems that can sense, understand, and respond at machine speed,” said Kevin McAleenan, CEO of BigBear.ai. “Our partnership with C Speed brings more secure, mission-ready AI directly to the edge-advancing situational awareness, automation, and officer support for the most demanding national security missions.”
“Together with BigBear.ai, C Speed is redefining rapid system deployment to empower the U.S. Government and its allies in safeguarding national security through advanced domain awareness capabilities,” said Kevin McLaughlin, CEO of C Speed. “Infusing BigBear.ai’s autonomous capabilities with our LightWave Radar architecture is an integrated solution that can enhance speed and accuracy across national security, homeland, defense and international partners.
The integration of BigBear.ai’s ConductorOS data and AI orchestration platform with C Speed’s advanced sensor technology enables interoperable, multi-domain awareness across diverse operational environments. This combined solution delivers meaningful advantages for operators, including:
- AI-driven data fusion across multiple sensors to support complex mission engagements, including counter-UAS operations
- Faster threat detection and response by embedding AI directly at the sensor level
- Real-time, autonomous mode switching within the LightWave Radar system to address airborne, ground, and maritime threats
“Our teams are bullish on investing in critical solutions to defend the homeland, U.S. forces, and allies” said Andy Maner, Chairman, NewSpring Holdings Federal Advisory Board. “By combining BigBear.ai’s AI-driven solutions with C Speed’s advanced, software-defined radar systems, we’re enhancing real-time threat detection and response. This is American innovation at its best: agile, scalable, and built to meet urgent operational requirements for strategic deterrence now.”