The Canadian subsidiary of American defence contractor Lockheed Martin is investing $3.6 million CAD into Ottawa-based AI solutions provider Lemay.ai.
Lockheed Martin announced the investment on Tuesday afternoon, adding that the investment launched a collaborative project to “advance research and development across Canada’s aerospace and defence sectors.”
The investment launched a collaborative project to “advance research and development across Canada’s aerospace and defence sectors.”
The project, which includes collaboration with the Czech Aerospace Research Centre, will focus on applying AI to predictive aeroplane maintenance, supply chain operations, navigation while denied access to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (such as jammed GPS signals), and “sovereign knowledge management.”
BetaKit has reached out to Lockheed Martin for more detailed information on the project’s priorities.
Lockheed said in a statement issued with the original announcement that the investment is enabled by Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy to fulfil commitments related to the federal government’s acquisition and in-service support of the CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft fleet, which Lockheed manufactures for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The ITB Policy contractually requires companies awarded defence procurement contracts to undertake business activity in Canada equal to the value of the contracts they have won.
RELATED: Cohere teams up with Swedish defence firm Saab on AI for surveillance jets
Founded in 2015 by CEO Matt Lemay, Lemay.ai works with clients in defence, banking, and government to deliver bespoke AI and machine learning solutions. The company helps its clients integrate features like decision support systems, video analytics, autonomous vehicles, logistics, text analytics, and predictive maintenance. The company says it has successfully delivered AI solutions to governments, NATO, and defence clients worldwide.
Lockheed’s investment comes amid Canada’s increased focus on ensuring its sovereignty and reduced military dependence on the United States. This has spurred the federal government to review its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets, which are also made by Lockheed Martin. At the same time, Swedish aerospace and defence contractor Saab is trying to convince Canada to purchase the GlobalEye and its Gripen fighter jets, and signed its own partnership agreement with Toronto-based large language model developer Cohere last week.
Feature image courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force.