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21 Aug 25. UK’s First Listed Software-Led Defence Company, Defence Holdings, Forms Strategic Alliance with AI Pioneer Whitespace.
Defence Holdings PLC has partnered with Whitespace to form a long-term strategic partnership
• The collaboration will leverage Whitespace’s Collective OS platform to rapidly develop and deploy next-generation AI applications for defence, aligning with key UK and NATO strategic priorities with the first application currently in development
• The partnership includes the immediate appointment of Whitespace co-founder and ex-Microsoft Ventures UK CEO, Andrew McCartney, as Defence Holdings’ new Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT), the UK’s first listed software-led defence company, today announces it has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Whitespace, the defence-focused AI company behind Collective OS. With established partnerships across the government, defence primes, and national security agencies, Whitespace is a trusted supplier of AI infrastructure for live UK defence and national security programmes. The strategic partnership will empower Defence Holdings to rapidly build next-generation defence applications. The first AI application is already under development for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), although currently operationally classified, it demonstrates long-term deployment potential. Defence Holdings is already engaged with one of the world’s leading technology providers to execute the product. As part of this move, Andrew McCartney, co-founder of Whitespace, will assume the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective immediately.
Defence Holdings PLC and Whitespace join forces in a long-term strategic partnership.
Defence Holdings will gain immediate access to Whitespace Collective OS, a robust AI Operating System built for scale and real-world deployment, which meets the MOD compliance framework and aligns with the Five Eyes interoperability standards set out in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR25). In addition to accessing Whitespace’s pioneering technology, Defence Holdings will be connected to the company’s extensive network of collaborators from across the MOD, the UK Government and NATO. This collaboration will provide the foundational infrastructure for the rapid development and deployment of secure AI applications, significantly reducing time-to-market for new capabilities.
This partnership has been strategically designed to capitalise on the current absence of an agile UK defence company and address the critical need for sovereign, software-first defence solutions in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The key development areas include:
• Autonomous decision-making systems for complex operational environments
• Secure AI-powered intelligence analysis and threat detection
• Real-time situational awareness platforms for multi-domain operations
• Adaptive cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure protection
Andrew is a recognised pioneer in AI infrastructure for national security. Prior to co-founding Whitespace, he served as the inaugural CEO of Microsoft Ventures UK, where he established the company’s first global innovation hub outside the United States. His extensive credentials include the deployment of AI systems to a UK naval platform, successfully implementing the proprietary Collective OS into live national security networks, and being selected for the Ministry of Defence’s “Engine for Growth” program. McCartney’s experience has enabled him to build strategic relationships across defence, government, and technology ecosystems, positioning him as a key leader in the development of secure, sovereign AI systems.
“As defence shifts from hardware to software ecosystems, the need for secure, compliant, and resilient AI infrastructure has never been greater,” said Andrew McCartney, Chief Technology Officer of Defence Holdings. “This partnership with Defence Holdings is crucial as it allows us to apply our battle-tested technology directly to national defence when we need it most for the UK and its allies. It’s an honour to help pioneer that transformation and build the capabilities that modern defence actually needs: resilient, deployable, sovereign AI infrastructure.”
James Norwood, Chairman of Defence Holdings, said on the news, “The formation of Defence Holdings is a pivotal step in securing the UK’s sovereign capability of operating at the speed and complexity modern defence environments demand. Andrew’s appointment underscores the importance of our mission. Having spent a decade building modern defence capabilities for the UK and its allies, it is critical that we have him on board to help build the next generations of front-line defence.”
Initial joint development of this project is anticipated to commence immediately, with the first commercial application already in development. Marking a significant step in Defence Holdings’ five-year strategic plan to focus on areas like autonomous systems, ISR, and information warfare, the collaboration is built on Whitespace’s proven technology.
About Defence Holdings PLC
Defence Holdings PLC (LSE: ALRT) is the UK’s first listed software-led defence company, focused on developing sovereign defence capabilities for the digital age. The Company’s five-year strategic plan, announced in June 2025, positions it to become a leading force in software-first defence solutions.
About Whitespace
Whitespace is a defence-focused AI company specialising in next-generation operating systems for secure, mission-critical applications. Its technology powers the first AI system deployed on a UK warship, setting a new benchmark for trusted, deployable AI at the tactical edge.
Whitespace has been named a founding member of the Oracle Defence Ecosystem, an international initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced cloud and AI technologies across US and allied national security domains.
With established partnerships across government, defence primes, and national security agencies, Whitespace is redefining how AI is developed, accredited, and deployed in complex defence environments.
(Source: PR Newswire)
18 Aug 25. Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader in compute and connectivity IoT solutions powering Edge AI applications, today announced that its TAA- and NDAA-compliant solution was selected by Teal Drones, a Red Cat Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT) company, for production of its Black Widow™ drones under the U.S. Army’s Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program. Lantronix has already initiated production shipments, providing early revenue visibility and underscoring Lantronix’s role as a trusted technology partner for mission critical defense applications.
The Lantronix solution, based on the Qualcomm® Dragonwing™ QRB5165 processor, delivers advanced Edge AI processing while meeting stringent U.S. security requirements, enabling full TAA and NDAA compliance for deployment in sensitive Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The combination of AI performance and compliance creates a sustainable advantage for Lantronix in the rapidly expanding defense and autonomous systems market.
As part of a select group of Blue UAS-approved small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) vendors, Teal Drones must meet rigorous cybersecurity, operational and safety standards for DoD use. Lantronix’s compliant solution enables Teal to meet these requirements, positioning its Black Widow drones for deployment in frontline missions.
“Black Widow drones are redefining what’s possible for small unmanned systems, giving today’s warfighters real-time intelligence and the operational edge they need on the modern battlefield,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “Lantronix’s solution enables us to meet the U.S. Army’s rigorous TAA and NDAA compliance standards under the SRR Program — a level of assurance few providers can match.”
With the global drone market projected to reach $57.8 bn by 2030 (Drone Industry Insights’ 2025–2030 Global Drone Market Report), Lantronix’s presence in the secure defense and commercial drone segment creates multi-year, high-margin growth opportunities.
“Lantronix has established itself as a leader in the Edge AI market, delivering innovative, compliance driven solutions for the growing drone sector,” said Saleel Awsare, CEO and president of Lantronix. “Our collaboration with Teal Drones underscores our ability to bring secure, high performance products to market at scale, creating long term opportunities with leading global brands.”
Lantronix solutions and Engineering Services combine embedded compute technology, compliance expertise and flexible software support to accelerate customer product development. This scalable platform approach not only enables rapid time to market for Teal Drones but also positions Lantronix to support future defense and industrial IoT programs requiring TAA and NDAA compliance.
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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