Planet and Quantum Systems enter AI-powered defence intelligence partnership

A strategic partnership has been unveiled to develop AI-driven 'Tip & Cue' intelligence solutions for defence customers. By combining Planet’s real-time satellite change detection with Quantum Systems’ high-precision uncrewed reconnaissance, the collaboration aims to deliver faster, smarter and more actionable insights, starting with a focus on European defence needs.

This partnership merges large-scale satellite monitoring with targeted drone operations, using AI to turn broad-area data into instant, frontline-ready intelligence. The goal? To empower defence teams with seamless, end-to-end situational awareness, from space to the battlefield.

“This strategic partnership is a significant step toward delivering actionable, near-real-time intelligence to the defence community spanning the space and uncrewed aerial vehicle domains, driven by European innovation,” said Charlie Candy, chief revenue officer at Planet. “By collaborating to bring this joint multi-industry solution concept to market, we are exploring a path to move beyond data delivery and provide concrete operational value. Both Planet and Quantum Systems have already been critical supporters of Ukraine's defence efforts. In creating this partnership, we can maximize impact and help ensure other European nations have the most efficient tools to aid in securing peace and stability across the region.”

Change detection over large areas

The product concept is for Planet’s Broad Area Monitoring satellite data and VHR tasking, combined with Planet’s analytics feeds, to enable automated change detection over large areas to identify new points of interest, the critical ‘Tip’. Working alongside Quantum Systems’ Mosaic UXS software suite, this alert could trigger a precise ‘Cue’ for the deployment of an assigned uncrewed vehicle for surveillance with detailed multi-sensor drones. This type of product design would ensure that limited, high-value drone assets are only deployed against confirmed and relevant targets, drastically improving operations precision and resource management, and reducing the cognitive load on analysts.

Florian Seibel, co-founder and co-CEO at Quantum Systems, added: “Our collaboration with Planet brings intelligence from orbit to the operators. Tapping the insights from Earth imaging satellites covering large areas can ensure that operators and our deployed assets can make more precise and effective decisions, while increasing their safety. This partnership in promoting our complementary technologies is a demonstration of our shared commitment to investing in the capabilities that matter most to our customers, translating strategic data into fast and precise decision-making.”