Picogrid's Legion Software to Integrate into Northrop Grumman's AiON Counter-Drone Platform for U.S. Air Defense Modernization

El Segundo, CA – Picogrid, a developer of integrated systems technology, has officially partnered with defense giant Northrop Grumman to integrate its Legion software into Northrop's AiON counter-drone command-and-control (C2) platform. This collaboration aims to bolster U.S. air defense modernization efforts by enhancing the military's ability to respond to complex aerial threats. The announcement, confirmed by Picogrid, highlights a significant step in connecting disparate defense systems.

".@Picogrid is officially partnering with @northropgrumman to integrate Picogrid’s Legion software into Northrop’s AiON counter-drone command-and-control (C2) platform," stated Tectonic on social media.

Picogrid's Legion software functions as a universal translator, enabling various sensors, effectors, and unmanned systems from different manufacturers to exchange real-time information and operate as a cohesive unit. This integration creates a shared operational picture, allowing commanders greater flexibility in tasking the right assets against threats. Picogrid CEO Zane Mountcastle emphasized the company's mission, stating, "Our mission at Picogrid is to build the integration layer that empowers our warfighters with the best technology, period."

Northrop Grumman's AiON system is designed as a cost-effective and secure counter-drone C2 solution, providing operators with the capability to oversee multiple sites remotely. AiON's open architecture facilitates the integration of new sensors, effectors, and third-party software, making it an ideal platform for Legion's interoperability capabilities. This partnership addresses the increasing complexity of threats in contested airspace, ranging from low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to advanced missiles.

The collaboration is particularly timely given the urgent need for modernized air defense, as highlighted by Mountcastle, who noted that Legion will "provide a secure, open-systems backbone, ensuring our military can adapt faster than our adversaries." Picogrid has been actively expanding its partner ecosystem, integrating with companies like Echodyne for advanced radar systems and Skydio for autonomous drones, further enhancing Legion's versatility. This strategic alliance with a major prime contractor like Northrop Grumman underscores a growing trend of defense startups collaborating with established industry leaders to accelerate technological adoption.