Northrop Grumman has partnered with California-based defense technology company Picogrid to advance the modernization of US air defense software systems. The agreement will see Picogrid’s Legion software integrated into Northrop’s AiON system, which manages counter-drone operations across multiple sites.
The combined platform is designed to give operators centralized control, allowing them to respond faster to diverse threats ranging from low-cost drones to advanced weapons such as cruise missiles and loitering munitions. The effort reflects the growing urgency within the Pentagon to move away from rigid, closed systems and toward modular, open-architecture solutions that reduce costs, speed fielding, and ensure interoperability across technologies.
The collaboration also supports broader Department of Defense (DoD) priorities. In recent years, Washington has placed a strong emphasis on software modernization to counter rapidly evolving adversary capabilities. Initiatives such as the establishment of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office in 2022 and the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell in 2024 underline this shift. Both are tasked with accelerating the integration of AI, machine learning, and other advanced tools into military operations.
Aligned with the Pentagon’s Modular Open Systems Approach mandate, the Northrop-Picogrid partnership reinforces the push for shared standards that eliminate duplication and promote interoperability. Earlier this year, the DoD issued a guidebook detailing how these principles should be implemented across defense programs, signaling a long-term commitment to a more agile and adaptive software ecosystem.
