Shift5, US Army join to secure High Mobility Artillery Rocket System against cyber threats

December 06, 2023

Shift5 picks up $50 million funding, set to protect planes, trains, weapon systems from cyber-physical threats

Shift5 Inc. announced on Tuesday a contract with the U.S. Army to secure the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) against cyber threats and provide readiness assessments to enable predictive maintenance. The Shift5 platform will capture, store, and analyze data on the tactical edge in real-time, providing operators, maintainers, and commanders with critical operational insights.

Shift5’s data collection platform offers a unique solution to address the evolving requirements of the HIMARS fleet. The M142 HIMARS is a full-spectrum, combat-proven, all-weather, 24/7, lethal and responsive, wheeled precision strike weapons system. The engagement will equip the HIMARS platform with digital anomaly detection capabilities to increase cyber resiliency and provide readiness assessments to enable predictive maintenance.

“The HIMARS platform has proven to be a critical asset in maintaining our national security, as well as the security of our allies and partners,” Michael Weigand, co-founder and chief growth officer of Shift5, said in a media statement. “As these platforms continue to operate in contested environments around the globe, and as our adversaries continue to innovate, it’s of the utmost importance to ensure they’re equipped with the best platform data collection and intrusion detection systems available.”

“This employment is a perfect example of the U.S. Army’s commitment to readiness and modernization,” said Gen. (R) Richard Clarke, former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and Shift5 Board Member. “In order to ensure our military maintains its competitive edge and deters its adversaries, we need to continue putting innovative solutions like this in the hands of our warfighters.”

This engagement between Shift5 and the U.S. Army comes on the heels of a successful test on the HIMARS platform earlier this year.

Last February, Shift5 announced that it had raised US$50 million in Series B funding, as it works towards securing military platforms and critical transportation systems from cyberattacks. It also offers protection to planes, trains, and weapon systems from increasing cyber-physical threats.