Palantir Technologies (PLTR) and startup Anduril are talking with many other tech companies, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to form a consortium to jointly bid on U.S. government contracts, The Financial Times reported Sunday. The aim is to take on traditional defense giants such as Lockheed Martin (LMT), Northrop Grumman (NOC), Boeing (BA) and RTX (RTX). Palantir and Anduril also reportedly are talking to Saronic and ScaleAI. Palantir and Anduril aim to announce a series of alliances next month, the FT said.
Musk, as co-leader of President-elect Donald Trump’s government efficiency drive, has signaled he will target Pentagon spending. He has specifically criticized the F-35 fighter jet as wasteful. Lockheed Martin makes the F-35, with Northrop Grumman a major sub-contractor. Boeing is a would-be competitor to SpaceX in private space fight.