The Challenge
Lockheed Martin, with over 120,000 employees, needed a secure, customizable generative AI chat solution that could run on-premises. The existing solutions offered rigid architectures, limited customization, high per-token costs, and data protection concerns. Sensitive data was often at risk since many generative AI platforms rely on proprietary models and external clouds. Lockheed Martin required an enterprise-scale solution that cut costs and protected its confidential information.
This need is not unique to defense contractors. Other industries face similar concerns:
Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics must manage patient data securely, ensuring compliance with strict privacy regulations while still benefiting from AI-driven insights.
Manufacturing: Industrial firms want to keep proprietary design data in-house, using AI assistants to streamline operations without exposing valuable IP to external systems.
Financial Services: Banks and insurers must safeguard customer information while leveraging AI to enhance support services, compliance checks, and internal decision-making.
Retail: Large retailers seek cost-effective, brand-aligned AI chat solutions that can quickly adapt to changing product lines or store policies without risking sensitive sales or customer data.
Navigator: An AI Assistant Application Created via Genesis
The Astris team built Navigator, the AI Assistant, utilizing the Genesis platform on Lockheed Martin’s on-premises NVIDIA DGX SuperPODs. Navigator is the user-friendly chat application that over 40,000 employees interact with daily, processing 4+ billion tokens weekly, using open-source models like Meta’s Llama. Navigator is designed to protect sensitive data and provide tailored guardrails aligned with Lockheed Martin’s internal policies and workflows. Navigator is being used across supply chain, to cybersecurity, to product R&D.
Key Features
Enhanced Security: Enterprise-grade measures, like role-based access control and local-only chat history, protect sensitive information.
Scalable Architecture: Seamless integration with existing systems while securely handling sensitive data at an enterprise scale.
Cost-Effectiveness: Hosting open-source models on-premises significantly reduces token costs, saving millions of dollars per month compared to external alternatives.
Customizable Controls: Tailored usage policies ensure the platform aligns with company-specific requirements and industry regulations.
The Results
Navigator overcomes the limitations of traditional, external AI assistants by delivering a secure, flexible, and cost-effective solution. For Lockheed Martin, it means retaining complete control over sensitive information, reducing expenses, and delivering a better internal user experience. Other enterprises—whether in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, or retail—can similarly leverage this approach to keep data in-house, meet compliance standards, and optimize costs.
Key Benefits
Strong Data Security & Compliance: Sensitive information remains on-premises, reducing exposure and meeting regulatory requirements.
Reduced Operational Costs: By using open-source models locally, organizations avoid high per-token fees, saving millions in recurring expenses.
Flexible, Enterprise-Grade Customization: Tailored guardrails and model configurations adapt to unique organizational needs, enabling highly relevant, on-brand interactions.
Scalability Across Industries: Any large-scale operation that values data protection, cost management, and reliable AI assistance can benefit from this solution—no matter their sector.
