Defense Unicorns Selected to Modernize Air Mobility Software

The project, backed by the OUSW(A&S) Operational Energy Prototyping Fund, focuses on transforming raw fuel and mobility data into actionable intelligence for commanders. By deploying UDS Fleet, the Air Mobility Command gains the ability to manage, update, and secure mission software across its fleet without relying on constant network connectivity. The platform packages applications as immutable artifacts, allowing crews to restore systems to known-good baselines in minutes via tablet or mobile interfaces.

Dr. Rob Slaughter, CEO of Defense Unicorns, emphasized that shifting from theoretical software workflows to field-ready capabilities is critical for survival in peer conflicts. UDS Fleet is built specifically for airgapped and tactical edge environments, addressing the vulnerabilities inherent in manual sustainment processes. The technology has already seen flight time on F-22, F-16, and C-17 aircraft, as well as various Navy UAS platforms.

Beyond Defense Unicorns, the OMEN program has enlisted Stator Integration Labs for data fusion and Air Space Intelligence to provide a common operating picture. These integrated efforts are intended to grant commanders a distinct decision advantage, ensuring that mission systems remain effective during cyber events or operational disruptions.