Winning the Next Mission:

As national security threats grow more dynamic and less bound by national borders, the missions of defense, homeland security, and national intelligence become increasingly interconnected. A border incursion, natural disaster, or cyber intrusion requires simultaneous coordination across combatant commands, with state and federal agencies interlocking. To succeed in these complex scenarios, agencies must share information, adapt workflows, and make decisions faster—together.

Mission-Driven AI Across Operational Authorities

Technology must reflect the operational reality of missions that also span jurisdictions and timelines. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data fusion tools have the potential to transform decision-making by integrating intelligence inputs, operational data, and planning assumptions into a shared picture of the mission while supporting critical infrastructure.

However, deploying AI in these settings is complex: it requires a deep understanding of each stakeholder’s role and contribution. Tools must function across classification levels and support individual mission sets — from combatant command planning to field-level response — adapting to workflows shaped by urgency and uncertainty. AI should enhance, not interrupt, scalable and secure mission execution.

Critical Infrastructure and Decision Support at the Border

Modern border security extends beyond physical barriers. It should combine surveillance, threat detection, predictive modeling, and resource management, leveraging advanced simulation and decision-support tools to inform both strategic planning and real-time mission execution.

Simulation tools can help assess how critical infrastructure, traffic flow, or changing threat postures might affect outcomes. Whether evaluating the placement of surveillance assets along the Southern border or testing how a port of entry might respond to an increase in traveler volume, these insights support mission planning for agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).

Trillions of passengers have been screened using facial matching technologies at major hubs using BigBear.ai’s solutions. Threat detection tools have been integrated with next-generation scanners to enhance baggage screening. Simulation platforms originally designed for logistics have been adapted to improve throughput and safety in transportation environments. Accurate predictive modeling, distributed intelligence, and mission-aware AI help agencies allocate resources, identify gaps, and maintain security without overburdening personnel at the front line.

Accelerating AI with Trust and Integration

AI adoption must balance speed, interoperability, and trust. Tools should integrate into existing systems — not create new silos. Secure testing environments and short-cycle prototyping allow operators to evaluate performance under real conditions, not just in development labs: all BigBear.ai strongpoints.

For example, BigBear.ai’s vendor-agnostic AI orchestration platform is being used to integrate legacy sensors, commercial feeds, and modern AI tools into a unified operational picture. This gives mission owners the flexibility to adapt without being locked into a single system, while improving decision timelines and reducing risk.

Enabling Real-World Impact with Domain Expertise

Meeting today’s challenges requires solutions grounded in operational reality — using proven tools that enhance coordination, scale across agencies, and deliver clarity in high-stakes moments. As threats evolve, success will depend on thoughtful collaboration, trusted technology, and a shared commitment to timely, informed action.

Proven technology is only part of the story. In a world where threats outpace acquisition cycles, advantage goes to those who can deliver capabilities that are battle-tested, supported by mission-experienced teams, and deployed with speed and precision. BigBear.ai pairs decades of credibility inside defense and intelligence with the flexibility to deliver interoperable, tailored solutions that fit the mission, so leaders can act with clarity and confidence when it matters most.