The U.S. Department of Defense issued a formal request on February 25, 2026 for Lockheed Martin and Boeing to evaluate how much they depend on Anthropic’s Claude AI model. The inquiry is part of a broader effort to scrutinize third‑party AI systems that are integrated into defense platforms and to determine whether those systems pose a supply‑chain risk to national security.
The request follows the Pentagon’s directive to all traditional prime contractors to disclose their use of commercial AI models. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set a deadline of February 27 for Anthropic to agree to the DoD’s terms; failure to comply could result in the company being designated a supply‑chain risk, a status that would trigger procurement restrictions and potential contract terminations.
For Lockheed Martin, the assessment will require a detailed inventory of Claude‑based tools across its product lines, from design software to operational support systems. The outcome could influence the company’s ability to secure new contracts and maintain its sizable backlog, as the DoD may limit or condition future awards on compliance with the new AI security framework.
The initiative is embedded in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which mandates the development of an AI/ML cybersecurity framework to be incorporated into DFARS and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. This regulatory shift signals a tightening of security requirements for AI in defense contracts and a move toward formalized oversight of commercial AI vendors.
Investors have reacted cautiously, with analysts noting that while the request does not immediately alter Lockheed Martin’s financial outlook, it introduces a new compliance dimension that could affect future procurement cycles. Boeing’s exposure is limited, as the company has no active contracts with Anthropic, but the broader industry is watching for how the DoD’s scrutiny may reshape AI integration strategies across the defense industrial base.
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