DIU Awards Contracts to Advance Edge AI Rapid Retraining for Counter-UAS Systems
The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has contracted Vizgard and Syzygy Integration LLC to demonstrate rapid on-device retraining and optimization of counter-drone AI models. The technology eliminates cloud dependency, keeping sensitive operational data on the edge device while enabling updated model deployment within hours rather than weeks.
Highlights
- The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded contracts to Vizgard and Syzygy Integration LLC to demonstrate rapid on-device retraining of counter-UAS AI models.
- Syzygy's Snap-E-AI-RTR edge device performs all retraining and optimization locally, eliminating cloud dependency and keeping operational data on-device.
- Model update cycles are reduced from weeks to hours, with operators able to flag issues and deploy retrained models via ATAK and iTAK platforms.
- The contract includes development of sub-classification capabilities to identify detected UAV brands and manufacturers, plus payload alerting functions.
- The program builds on Vizgard and Syzygy's operational collaboration since 2023, during which Vizgard's FortifAI system was deployed in Syzygy's autonomous sensor program.
DIU Awards Contracts to Advance Edge AI Rapid Retraining for Counter-UAS Systems
The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded contracts to Vizgard and Syzygy Integration LLC to demonstrate the capability to rapidly retrain and optimize counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) artificial intelligence models directly on edge devices.
Traditional Pipeline Takes Weeks; New Approach Delivers in Hours
Conventional AI model improvement workflows require extracting operational data from deployed systems and routing it to analysts and data scientists for processing — a cycle that can take weeks before an updated model is ready. Under the new program, retraining and optimization will be performed entirely on Syzygy's Snap-E-AI-RTR edge device, ensuring that no data leaves the hardware and eliminating all dependence on cloud infrastructure. Operators can flag performance issues in real time through Syzygy's AwareX capability within the ATAK and iTAK platforms, and deploy a retrained model within hours.
Sub-Classification Feature Sharpens Threat Identification
The contract also covers development of sub-classification capabilities that can identify the brand and manufacturer of detected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), along with payload alerting functions. This allows operators to move beyond basic drone detection toward more granular, real-time intelligence analysis.
Built on Partnership Established in 2023
The program builds on collaboration between the two companies dating back to 2023, during which Vizgard's FortifAI system was operationally deployed as part of Syzygy's autonomous sensor program.
Syzygy CEO Wesley Mitchell commented: "We've been operating on the southern border and conducting counter-drone missions long enough to know that the model you deploy on day one isn't the model you need by month three. Being able to retrain and optimize directly on the SNAP edge device — without moving sensitive operational data off the device — fundamentally changes how we adapt to evolving threat environments. The Vizgard and Syzygy integration makes that possible."
Avoiding Suboptimal Models That Degrade Operational Effectiveness
Both companies noted that deploying AI without a retraining mechanism risks forcing operators to rely on underperforming models that create noise rather than actionable insight. By generating labeled, cleaned datasets directly within the operational system, the integrated workflow is designed to eliminate traditional processing bottlenecks and provide operators with the tools to validate and retrain models at the edge.
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