Keel Holdings has joined the US Navy’s ShipOS initiative, partnering with Palantir Technologies to integrate data and AI tools into maritime production systems.
ShipOS is a navy-led effort designed to improve how shipbuilding and related supply chains are managed by introducing a shared digital environment across shipyards and suppliers.
Keel is among a group of suppliers selected for the program’s initial rollout, which targets the submarine industrial base.
Within this framework, Keel will integrate Palantir’s Foundry and AI platforms with its existing enterprise systems.
By integrating Palantir’s AI-enabled ShipOS, the initiative establishes a unified data architecture to support planning, production monitoring, and workflow coordination, aiming to reduce delays in complex manufacturing environments.
Operational, logistics, and production data are consolidated into a single platform, enabling participants to track progress in real-time, identify bottlenecks, and better align schedules.
“The ability to rapidly deliver ships is essential to our nation’s security and industrial strength,” said Brian Carter, CEO of Keel.
“This initiative is about more than technology — it’s about empowering our workforce, accelerating the Navy’s mission, and delivering results for the American people.”
The ShipOS program is backed by up to $448 million in authorized funding and is expected to expand across more than 100 companies.
As part of the effort, the US Navy plans to scale ShipOS beyond the initial group of suppliers, using early deployments to refine the system before extending it across the broader maritime industrial base.
Expanding Capacity
Keel continues to expand its manufacturing capacity as demand from US naval programs increases, scaling both its infrastructure and production capabilities across multiple sites.
In 2025, the company announced a $22-million investment in advanced precision machining, including four high-speed 5-axis machines, alongside leadership changes to support growth in its Midwest and Southeast operations.
This follows a separate $70-million plan to develop three new facilities in Charleston, South Carolina, dedicated to submarine and aircraft carrier components.
Keel’s current work is centered on producing superstructures for Columbia-class submarines, delivered to prime contractors General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News, and on fabricating components for future Ford-class aircraft carriers.
