The AI system “Maven” developed by the US company Palantir is being formally designated as a “Program of Record” within the US defense budget. A directive issued by Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg provides for the permanent deployment of the technology across all branches of the armed forces and secures its long-term funding. Implementation is scheduled to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year in September. The objective is to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence into military decision-making processes and to enhance capabilities for detecting, deterring, and defeating adversaries.
The Maven software platform is used to analyze large volumes of battlefield data from sources such as satellites, drones, radar systems, and intelligence reports. Using artificial intelligence, it identifies potential targets, including military vehicles, buildings, and weapons depots. The system is already in operation and has recently been used for thousands of targeted strikes. Its designation as a Program of Record is intended to accelerate deployment across all military branches and ensure continuous development.
Organizationally, responsibility for Maven will be transferred within 30 days from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. Future contracts with Palantir are to be handled by the US Army. The decision significantly strengthens the company’s position in the defense sector. Palantir has recently secured multiple major contracts from the US government, including one worth up to 10 billion US dollars, contributing to a sharp increase in its valuation to approximately 360 billion dollars.
The system originates from the Pentagon’s Project Maven, launched in 2017 to analyze drone imagery. In 2024, Palantir was awarded a contract worth up to 480 million dollars, which was expanded to 1.3 billion dollars in 2025. According to the company, the platform is now used by tens of thousands of users. At the same time, criticism of AI-assisted targeting is growing. Expert panels at the United Nations warn of ethical, legal, and security risks, particularly when decisions are made without human involvement.
Palantir states that final target selection and approval remain under human control. An additional complication arises from the integration of external AI technologies, including the system “Claude” developed by Anthropic, which has been identified by the Pentagon as a potential supply chain risk.
Source: Uncut News