Raft Launches Program to Accelerate Defense Software Deployment
Defense technology startup Raft has introduced the Raft Partner Program to help industry partners rapidly develop, integrate, and launch mission-ready applications using the Raft Data Platform ([R]DP) and Raft AI Mission System ([R]AIMS). As modern warfare increasingly depends on software across multiple domains, the program addresses growing demand for faster collaboration and seamless integration across the defense sector.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Raft has secured approximately $268.5 million in government contracts to deliver software engineering services incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data solutions for more than 25 entities across the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies, according to Obviant. The company raised $60 million in growth financing from Washington Harbour Partners LP in 2024. Raft’s expertise centers on developing software for “denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited” (DDIL) environments, often referred to as edge AI solutions designed for battlefield applications.
The Raft Partner Program is intended to establish a national security ecosystem that supports rapid innovation and interoperability through [R]DP and [R]AIMS. The program provides industry partners with technical resources and support to deliver secure, high-performance applications ready for deployment. These platforms are already embedded within major Department of Defense modernization initiatives.
Shubhi Mishra, founder and CEO of Raft, said, “If you want the Department of Defense to use your technology, it needs to be built on the core software behind its key modernization strategies. Our program gives partners a faster route to integration, saving time and getting solutions to missions more quickly.” This approach enables partners to connect across the Raft ecosystem and extend their technologies wherever U.S. forces operate.
The inaugural group of partners includes Lockheed Martin, Scale AI, Red Hat, and Rune Technologies, with applications now open to additional participants. Partners benefit from proven interoperability, stronger market positioning, and an accelerated path to delivering mission-ready solutions. Whether startups developing new tools, prime contractors providing large-scale integrated systems, or commercial vendors offering pre-integrated tactical solutions, the program promotes rapid deployment and deeper collaboration across the defense technology landscape.
“Raft’s Partner Program reinforces the company’s role in advancing modernization priorities across the Department of Defense,” said Mina Faltas, founder and CEO of Washington Harbour Partners. “Since our collaboration began, Raft has expanded significantly within the multi-domain defense ecosystem, particularly through the widespread adoption of [R]DP and [R]AIMS, underscoring its commitment to innovation.” Patrick Foley, principal at Washington Harbour Partners, added that evolving national security requirements demand modular, software-defined solutions, an area where Raft and its strategic partners are positioned to deliver.
As the Department of Defense accelerates its modernization initiatives, industry partners are increasingly expected to demonstrate innovation across multiple domains, ensure interoperability, and deliver operational capabilities suitable for joint force deployment. Collaboration with Raft offers partners a distinct advantage in future procurements, along with the ability to provide scalable, adaptive, and innovative mission-ready solutions.
More broadly, the launch of the Raft Partner Program reflects a shift in defense procurement toward software-defined ecosystems rather than standalone platforms. As the Department of Defense prioritizes speed, interoperability, and operational resilience, companies that align early with core modernization software are likely to gain a structural advantage. In positioning itself as both a software provider and an infrastructure layer, Raft is shaping how mission applications are built, deployed, and scaled across the joint force.
This analysis on Raft's program is very insightful. How do we ensure ethical frameworks keep pace with such rapid AI advancments in military applications?