Zapata Technology delivers production-ready AI/ML for the intelligence community — not prototypes that stall at the lab door. As a VOSB defense contractor with a TS/SCI facility clearance, we build and deploy artificial intelligence for defense intelligence missions on classified networks where other companies cannot operate. Our CASCADE AI/ML platform and LIGHTNER computer vision system are proven on INSCOM and USASOC programs, delivering machine learning for IC operations including multi-source intelligence fusion, ISR video analysis, and automated threat assessment. When the intelligence community needs AI that works on JWICS, not just in a demo, Zapata is the partner that delivers.
AI/ML Deployed on Classified Networks
From lab to operational deployment on the nation’s most sensitive intelligence systems
TS/SCI
Cleared AI Engineers
3
Production AI Platforms
100%
Employee Satisfaction
CASCADE Platform
AI/ML Intelligence Analysis
LIGHTNER Vision
ISR Object Recognition
Multi-Source Fusion
Cross-INT Data Integration
Edge AI
Tactical Deployment Ready
CASCADE: AI/ML Platform for Intelligence Analysis
CASCADE is Zapata Technology’s AI-powered operational support platform, purpose-built for intelligence community missions. Unlike commercial AI tools that require constant cloud connectivity and cannot handle classified data, CASCADE was designed from the ground up for deployment on classified networks including SIPRNET and JWICS.
CASCADE delivers:
- Multi-Source Intelligence Fusion — CASCADE ingests and correlates data from SIGINT, HUMINT, GEOINT, OSINT, and other intelligence sources to build comprehensive intelligence pictures that no single source can provide
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) — Automated analysis of intelligence reports, cable traffic, and unstructured text data to extract entities, relationships, and patterns across massive document volumes
- Predictive Analytics — Machine learning models that identify trends, forecast adversary behavior, and flag anomalies in intelligence data streams for analyst review
- Explainable AI Outputs — Every CASCADE assessment includes confidence scores and source attribution, enabling analysts to validate AI-generated insights against their own expertise and satisfy DoD explainability requirements
- Automated Decision Support — Structured analytical workflows that augment human analysts by automating routine analytical tasks while keeping the human in the loop for critical judgments
CASCADE is deployed with USASOC and INSCOM, processing classified intelligence data in real-time to provide actionable intelligence to warfighters and analysts. The platform has been through the RMF authorization process and holds an ATO for operation on classified networks.
LIGHTNER: Computer Vision for ISR & Defense
LIGHTNER is Zapata’s open-source object recognition microservice built for real-time ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) video analysis. LIGHTNER brings production-grade computer vision for defense operations — detecting, classifying, and tracking objects of interest in full-motion video feeds from UAVs, surveillance cameras, and other ISR sensors.
- Real-Time Object Detection — Processes live video streams to identify vehicles, personnel, equipment, and other objects of intelligence interest with high accuracy and low latency
- Edge Deployment — Designed to run on constrained tactical hardware at the edge, delivering AI capability in bandwidth-limited and disconnected environments where cloud processing is impossible
- Custom Model Training — We train LIGHTNER models on mission-specific datasets to recognize the exact objects and scenarios relevant to your intelligence requirements
- Integration with Intelligence Systems — LIGHTNER outputs integrate with DCGS-A, CASCADE, and other intelligence platforms to feed computer vision results into broader analytical workflows
- Scalable Architecture — From single-sensor tactical deployments to enterprise-scale processing of hundreds of simultaneous video feeds at intelligence fusion centers
Multi-Source Intelligence Data Fusion
The intelligence community’s greatest challenge is not collecting data — it’s fusing data from dozens of disparate sources into a coherent intelligence picture. Zapata Technology has deep experience building multi-source data fusion pipelines for IC customers, connecting intelligence data streams that were never designed to work together.
- Cross-INT Fusion — Our platforms correlate data across SIGINT, HUMINT, GEOINT, MASINT, OSINT, and cyber intelligence to identify patterns invisible to single-source analysis
- ZIngest ETL Platform — ZIngest automates data ingestion from heterogeneous intelligence sources, handling format normalization, CAPCO classification extraction, and data quality validation at scale
- Entity Resolution — Machine learning-driven entity resolution that matches identities, locations, and organizations across intelligence databases with different naming conventions, transliterations, and data quality
- Temporal & Geospatial Analytics — Analysis tools that identify patterns in the time and location dimensions of intelligence data, supporting pattern-of-life analysis and activity forecasting
- Classified Data Handling — All our data fusion work is conducted on classified networks with proper security controls, data markings, and access restrictions
Edge AI for Tactical Intelligence
Intelligence operations increasingly require AI capabilities at the tactical edge — forward-deployed, bandwidth-constrained environments where reaching back to enterprise cloud infrastructure is impractical or impossible. Zapata builds AI systems specifically for these demanding environments.
- Optimized Model Deployment — We compress and optimize AI/ML models to run on GPU-constrained tactical hardware while maintaining acceptable accuracy and latency
- Disconnected Operations — Our edge AI systems operate autonomously when disconnected from enterprise networks, caching results and synchronizing when connectivity is restored
- Tactical Hardware Support — We deploy on rugged edge computing platforms, embedded GPUs, and standard military tactical computing systems
- Graceful Degradation — When compute resources are limited, our systems provide reduced-fidelity results rather than failing entirely — partial intelligence is better than no intelligence
- Model Update Distribution — Mechanisms for pushing updated models to edge devices across classified networks with limited bandwidth
From Lab to Classified Operations
Many companies can build AI demos. Few can deploy AI systems into production on classified intelligence networks. The gap between a proof-of-concept and an operational, accredited system on JWICS or SIPRNET is enormous — and it’s where most defense AI efforts stall. Zapata Technology bridges that gap because we’ve done it repeatedly.
What Sets Us Apart in Defense AI
- Cleared AI/ML engineers — Our data scientists and ML engineers hold TS/SCI clearances and work daily on classified programs. No waiting for clearance processing.
- RMF-experienced development — We build AI systems with the ATO process in mind from day one, incorporating security controls and documentation throughout development rather than bolting them on at the end.
- Production operations on classified networks — We don’t just deploy and leave. We operate and maintain AI systems on SIPRNET and JWICS, including model retraining, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.
- CMMI Level 3 engineering processes — Our AI/ML development follows mature, repeatable engineering processes, not ad hoc data science experimentation.
- 18+ years of DoD domain expertise — Our team understands intelligence community tradecraft, not just machine learning algorithms. We build AI that fits how analysts actually work.
Contract Vehicles for IC AI/ML Services
Procure Zapata’s AI/ML capabilities through our existing contract vehicles:
| Contract Vehicle | Contract Number | Role | Relevant Domains |
| OASIS+ Total Small Business | 47QRCA25DS585 | Prime | Technical & Engineering, Intelligence |
| OASIS+ 8(a) | 47QRCA25DA204 | Prime | Technical & Engineering, Intelligence |
| 8(a) STARS III | 47QTCB22D0134 | Prime | IT Services, AI/ML |
| SeaPort-NxG | N0017821D9470 | Prime | Engineering, R&D, Data Analytics |
Bring AI/ML to Your Intelligence Mission
Contact us to discuss how CASCADE, LIGHTNER, and our AI/ML engineering team can accelerate your intelligence capabilities on classified networks.
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