Astris AI, the Lockheed Martin-backed AI software and MLOps provider, and Albany Engineered Composites have entered a strategic alliance to deploy secure, scalable artificial intelligence (AI) across critical defense supply chain operations. The collaboration establishes a blueprint for integrating defense-grade AI into industrial workflows, enhancing forecasting accuracy, risk mitigation, and delivery performance for mission-critical composite components while strengthening the resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base.

AEC, a leading producer of 3D woven composite components for defense and aerospace applications, becomes the first supplier to embark on a structured AI modernization journey with Astris AI, establishing a model for strengthening America's broader defense supply chain.

"The resilience of our national security depends on a technologically advanced industrial base," said Abby Lilly, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lockheed Martin. "Our investment in supplier AI readiness through Astris AI provides the secure platform and expertise needed to transform operations across our network, beginning with AEC's composite manufacturing facilities."

Under the arrangement, Astris AI will deploy its defense-grade AI Factory platform within AEC's environment, which is designed to help AEC:

• Deliver a holistic AI roadmap and execution plan across supply chain operations, production planning, and finance
• Establish secure governance frameworks that enable AI adoption while maintaining strict compliance with defense requirements on an open architecture platform
• Build and operationalize AI surrogate models that predict composite material properties for complex 3D woven geometries leveraging existing simulation and test-data

"As manufacturing demands grow more complex, AI becomes essential for maintaining America's competitive edge," said James Droskoski, chief revenue officer at Astris AI. "Through this collaboration, we hope that AEC will lead the way in showcasing how secure, scalable AI can transform operations across the defense industrial base."

The collaboration follows Astris AI's proven three-phase approach to building a scalable AI program: establishing the technical foundation, developing targeted AI solutions for immediate operational challenges and scaling successful applications across Albany's facilities.

Integrating Astris AI s AI Factory platform into our operations places AEC at the forefront of advanced composite manufacturing innovation, said Chris Stone, president at AEC. When combined with our proprietary 3D weaving design and process simulation capability, we expect that Astris AI will significantly accelerate our mission to deliver proven 3D-woven composite replacements for critical titanium structures, adding strength and resilience to the domestic defense supply chain.

The collaboration launches the first phase of Astris AI's supplier modernization initiative, which expands to additional key suppliers throughout 2026. The program aligns with Department of War priorities to build a more resilient, technologically advanced industrial base capable of meeting evolving national security requirements.