Software company **Applied Intuition** announced on **Thursday** that it has acquired **EpiSci**, a Silicon Valley autonomy firm. EpiSci’s technology is known for supporting various Pentagon programs aimed at integrating artificial intelligence with military platforms.
This acquisition allows Applied Intuition to expand its portfolio beyond its current focus on dual-use autonomous technology for land systems. **Qasar Younis**, CEO of Applied, stated, “We’ve done a lot of on-the-ground, land autonomy… and we thought one area we could augment its portfolio is in other domains — in the air and on the sea… and space as well.”
Founded in **2012**, EpiSci develops AI software for several defense applications, including surface warfare, maritime tracking, and space-based missile tracking satellites. Notably, last year, the **Air Force** used EpiSci’s software for the first-ever dogfights between an **F-16** and an experimental fighter jet, the **X-62A VISTA**.
Moreover, Applied Intuition has created a suite of simulation, validation, and data management software utilized across various industries, including automotive, trucking, agriculture, and defense. In **2022**, the **Army** and the **Defense Innovation Unit** selected Applied to provide a platform for developing and testing autonomous software for the **Robotic Combat Vehicle program**.
In a significant development, last month, the **Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office** awarded Applied a production contract worth up to **$171 million** for its software development and testing platform.
**Jason Brown**, general manager of Applied’s defense business, noted that the Defense Department’s emphasis on uncrewed systems, particularly through the **Replicator initiative** aimed at deploying thousands of low-cost expendable drones, is driving substantial growth in the autonomy market. He indicated that this growth presents opportunities not only for drone manufacturers but also for companies like Applied and EpiSci, which can provide autonomy software for both new and legacy systems.
Brown remarked, “We want to be a part of that… This is a big market that is about to explode. We’re going to be able to take advantage of all of it.”
**Courtney Albon** is a reporter for C4ISRNET, covering space and emerging technology. She has been reporting on the U.S. military since **2012**, focusing on the Air Force and Space Force, and has reported on significant acquisition, budget, and policy challenges faced by the Defense Department.
