Lockheed Martin announced the creation of EMBERPOINT LLC, a joint venture with Pacific Gas & Electric, Salesforce, and Wells Fargo, on January 26 2026. The partnership is designed to deliver AI‑driven, real‑time wildfire prevention, detection, and response solutions across the United States.
The venture will combine Lockheed’s autonomous aircraft and ground‑based sensing capabilities with PG&E’s wildfire mitigation experience, Salesforce’s data‑integration platform, and Wells Fargo’s capital backing. Partners have committed more than $100 million in initial funding, and PG&E plans to seek regulatory approval to formalize its participation. The joint venture will provide first‑responders with command‑and‑control tools that integrate sensor data, predictive analytics, and autonomous flight operations.
Lockheed’s entry into the wildfire‑technology market aligns with its broader “21st Century Security” strategy, which seeks to apply defense‑grade technology to civilian challenges. The global firefighting aircraft market is projected to grow from $7.88 billion in 2025 to $13.3 billion by 2033, creating a sizable addressable market for the venture’s solutions. By leveraging its existing AI and autonomous systems, Lockheed can offer a more affordable, scalable platform to utilities and government agencies.
Jim Taiclet, Lockheed’s chairman, president and CEO, said the partnership “brings the best of American technology to a growing threat to lives and property.” Patti Poppe, PG&E’s CEO, added that the collaboration “will help us scale how we identify risk, prevent incidents, and protect people and ecosystems.” John Somorjai, Salesforce’s chief corporate development officer, noted that the company’s AI capabilities will be integrated to “combat the escalating threat of wildfires.”
The venture faces a regulatory headwind as PG&E must secure approval before full operations can begin, but the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires provide a strong tailwind. If successful, EMBERPOINT could generate new revenue streams for Lockheed and position the company as a leader in a high‑growth, high‑impact market, while also reinforcing its diversification beyond traditional defense contracts.
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