Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd and EdgeCortix Inc have signed a Teaming Agreement to advance the development of next-generation artificial intelligence-enabled aerospace and defence systems. The multi-year strategic programme, initially valued at several million U.S. dollars across 2026 to 2028, combines Kawasaki’s aerospace and defence engineering capabilities with EdgeCortix’s energy-efficient AI semiconductor and software technologies.
Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on technology development, feasibility studies, system integration and prototype platform development. The programme will examine the application of advanced edge AI computing to enhance intelligence, adaptability and operational resilience in future aerial defence platforms. The companies intend to broaden the scope of their cooperation as technical milestones are achieved and additional development and deployment opportunities emerge.
EdgeCortix will contribute its chiplet-based AI computing platform, MERA compiler and software framework, along with related AI acceleration technologies. Designed to process AI workloads close to the point where data is generated, these technologies are intended to support high-performance computing while addressing the stringent power, thermal, latency and reliability requirements of mission-critical aerospace and defence applications.
Dr Sakyasingha Dasgupta, Founder and CEO, EdgeCortix, said the agreement represents an important commercial and strategic milestone for the company and a significant expansion of its relationship with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. He noted that future aerial defence platforms will require substantial AI computing capabilities within tightly constrained power, thermal and operational environments. By combining Kawasaki’s aerospace and systems engineering expertise with EdgeCortix’s chiplet-based architecture and MERA software platform, the companies aim to accelerate the development of intelligent, adaptive and energy-efficient mission systems.
The Teaming Agreement establishes a framework for the companies to advance both the development and potential deployment of AI-enabled aerial defence technologies. It also provides a foundation for broader cooperation in aerospace, defence and other mission-critical applications where real-time processing, energy efficiency and operational reliability are essential.
EdgeCortix is a fabless semiconductor company specialising in energy-efficient AI processing for high-performance inference and generative AI workloads at the edge. Headquartered in Kanagawa, Japan, with operations in the United States and India, the company develops silicon and software platforms based on its hardware-software co-design approach. Its Dynamic Neural Accelerator architecture and MERA software stack enable runtime-reconfigurable AI acceleration for applications including aerospace and defence, robotics, smart infrastructure, manufacturing and telecommunications.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a global technology and engineering company headquartered in Japan, with more than 125 years of experience. Its businesses span aerospace and defence, mobility, energy and environmental systems, robotics, precision machinery and industrial equipment. In aerospace, Kawasaki develops and manufactures aircraft, aircraft engines, unmanned systems and space-related technologies, including systems supporting Japan’s national defence.
