Latent AI and Abaco Systems power interoperable edge AI on modular mission hardware

The Department of War (DoW) demands open, modular systems to maintain dominance and equip warfighters with adaptive solutions. Yet many AI capabilities are vendor-locked, limiting flexibility and hindering rapid deployment across missions. Interoperability changes that.

Truly interoperable AI solutions equip troops with modular AI that can plug and play across platforms. Latent AI solutions are designed to run on a wide range of hardware,  enabling mission autonomy on tactical platforms (drones, ground vehicles, and wearable devices). 

Latent AI and Abaco Systems have teamed up to demonstrate a practical path to interoperable edge AI on modular mission hardware. Latent AI provides an AI factory for adaptive edge AI solutions, leveraging a repeatable AI pipeline that enables easy updates. This AI pipeline enables operators to tune and update edge AI in the field in minutes, rather than up echelon in hours or days. Abaco’s modular hardware provides a rugged, SOSA-aligned VPX compute foundation for Latent AI’s optimized edge AI. 

How it works

Latent AI’s AI factory, powered by Latent AI Efficient Inference Platform (LEIP), optimizes edge AI models to excel in real-edge conditions with minimal compute and power. Our Field Tactical Suite (FTS) enables adaptive autonomy directly on modular mission hardware. Designed for disconnected, off-grid operations, FTS enables operators to deploy, update, and fine-tune AI models without requiring cloud connectivity. Running on rugged compute platforms like those from Abaco, Latent FTS delivers mission-ready EO/IR tracking, ATR, and real-time edge intelligence across Group 1/2 drones, vehicles, and wearable systems. 

The new MAGIC2 from Abaco Systems is a high-performance, modular 3U VPX mission computer designed for aerospace and defense. MAGIC2 is aligned with SOSA standards, and packs Intel Xeon processors and NVIDIA GPUs into a compact, low-SWaP form factor. It supports customizable configurations for CPU, GPU, I/O, cooling, and storage, with an upgrade path to future chips like Raptor Lake or Blackwell. The MAGIC2 is ideal for radar processing, handling EO/IR video, situational awareness, and AI-driven classification.

Abaco’s rugged, modular setups enable Latent FTS to provide adaptive autonomy and rapid AI updates. Together, you get an interoperable edge AI solution that evolves in the field to meet mission needs.

Key Strengths of This Partnership

This collaboration stands out by proving true hardware-agnostic edge AI in action. Key highlights include:

• Real-time tracking that adapts: Latent FTS enables tactical teams to move from ISR detection to target tagging to fine-tuning and updating models within the same mission cycle, even under DDIL conditions. Latent FTS target tracking processes feeds locally, detects and tracks threats across various sensor modalities, and integrates across hardware platforms. Users see clearly highlighted targets through mask overlays, even in low-light conditions.
• Seamless deployment on modular hardware: Latent AI’s models can be optimized to run on Abaco’s low-SWaP, resilient hardware, including MAGIC2 variants (like Alpha with dual Xeon + A2000, or Charlie with ADA5000 GPU), handling EO/IR video processing and classification at the edge
• Future-proof scalability: Abaco’s pin-compatible, upgradeable design enables users to swap components for newer technology. Latent AI’s model-agnostic optimizations keep AI efficient and effective across hardware generations—no redesigns needed.

What does this mean for our joint customers?

DoW operators and programs gain real flexibility and long-term value:

• Faster mission adaptation: AI deploys across platforms and can be updated in minutes, not days, without complex integration.
• No vendor lock-in: Modular hardware and interoperable AI let users mix and match best-of-breed components, scale fleets, and upgrade affordably.
• Enhanced tactical edge performance: Low-latency, local processing spots and tracks threats in milliseconds, supporting situational awareness and sensor-to-shooter loops in denied environments.
• Protected investments: SOSA alignment and our optimization ensure systems evolve with tech advances, delivering sustained superiority without rip-and-replace costs.

“Edge AI delivers maximum value when it integrates seamlessly into broader ecosystems. Our interoperable layer is engineered to perform efficiently across diverse hardware, such as Abaco’s MAGIC2, so warfighters gain adaptive intelligence that remains effective and up-to-date in the most demanding conditions. We are proud to partner with Abaco Systems in this collaboration, and to be one of the first to publicly demonstrate this level of hardware-agnostic interoperability.”

Jags Kandasamy, CEO and Co-founder, Latent AI

“Latent AI is a high-growth, emerging partner ready for integration into Abaco Systems’ defense-grade hardware. Through this partnership, we will integrate advanced AI capabilities into our products and deliver proven, mission-ready solutions that strengthen and improve operational performance for now and tomorrow.”

Simon Collins, Director of Product Management, Abaco

Looking ahead

The partnership between Latent AI and Abaco Systems is advancing modular, interoperable edge AI for defense. We provide hardware-agnostic AI that runs reliably on any platform, scales without friction, and fully supports DoW’s open-architecture priorities. 

We showcase this integration at AFCEA West, running our tracking solutions live on Abaco hardware in Abaco Systems’ booth 2315 and Latent AI’s booth 4306. Visitors experience how the system handles real-time sensor EO/IR feeds, maintains autonomous tracking, and adapts without relying on the cloud.

Want to explore how this solution strengthens your missions? Contact Latent AI or Abaco Systems to arrange a tailored discussion.