Anduril Acquires Klas to Boost Edge Computing Capabilities for Defense Tech
Defense technology company Anduril announced its ninth acquisition on Monday, purchasing Dublin-based Klas, a specialist in ruggedized edge computing systems for military and first responder applications. While financial terms remain undisclosed and the deal awaits regulatory approval, Anduril confirmed Klas’s 150-strong workforce will join its operations.
The acquisition coincided with Anduril’s launch of Menace-T, a new portable edge computing solution. Despite its dramatic name (a departure from typical defense industry nomenclature like Lockheed Martin’s C2BMC), Menace-T represents a practical advancement – a compact, two-carry-on-case system deployable by a single person within minutes, designed for off-grid and challenging environments.
Klas’s Voyager product line, already integrated with Anduril’s Lattice AI software platform, forms the foundation for Menace-T. Lattice enhances sensor systems with capabilities like object identification, while Voyager provides the ruggedized hardware backbone. Current deployments include military ground and maritime applications.
A particularly significant application emerges in support of the military’s troubled IVAS augmented reality system. Originally awarded to Microsoft in 2018 with a $21.9 billion budget, the IVAS program transitioned to Anduril’s oversight in February following technical challenges. While Microsoft remains a cloud partner, Anduril has already enhanced IVAS headsets with Lattice’s computer vision capabilities.
Tom Keane, Anduril’s SVP of Engineering, explained at a press conference: “Klas technology addresses critical IVAS requirements for tactical edge communications – data transmission, reception, and autonomous system tasking. Their existing IVAS support positions us to expand this collaboration.”
Beyond defense applications, the Klas acquisition opens potential commercial opportunities in automotive, industrial, and environmental monitoring sectors. While Anduril currently prioritizes military and law enforcement markets, company leadership acknowledges broader possibilities for their edge computing solutions.
