The US Marine Corps is enhancing the MQ-9B drone’s onboard intelligence with the integration of Ultra I&C’s Knox-5 processor, marking a step forward in edge computing for unmanned aircraft. The new system is intended to deliver increased AI processing capacity and data fusion directly on the platform.
Under the contract, Ultra Intelligence & Communications will deliver nine Knox-5 processing units, expanding the MQ-9B’s ability to analyze sensor data onboard and reducing its dependence on remote processing infrastructure. This capability is particularly valuable for operations in communications-constrained or contested environments.
Designed around a SOSA-aligned open architecture, the Knox-5 processor supports interoperability across multiple sensor types and mission systems. The modular design allows the MQ-9B to integrate future upgrades quickly, ensuring long-term relevance as mission requirements evolve.
The addition of the Knox-5 “digital brain” strengthens the MQ-9B’s role as a multi-mission ISR platform, enabling faster threat detection, improved situational awareness, and more autonomous operations. The upgrade reflects a growing emphasis on AI-enabled edge processing across US military unmanned systems.
