Category: Press Releases

Growth momentum fuels rise on the fastest-growing companies list

In its annual ranking of the fastest-growing small businesses, Washington Technology ranked Fuse number 26 on the 2025 Fast 50. Rankings are based on companies’ compound annual growth rate over five years of revenue data, from 2020 to 2024. Reflecting a strengthening market position and sustained growth momentum, the company rose 23 spots in its second year on the coveted list.

“As near-peer threats intensify, our armed forces and allies are doubling down on modern, resilient technologies to stay ahead,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “Our growth is fueled by our capacity to deliver mission-critical tactical edge networking solutions that bring advanced and legacy platforms together — strengthening warfighter readiness for the fight tonight and tomorrow.”

Fuse’s momentum comes from both an increasing demand at the tactical edge and the company’s rapid pace of innovation. AI enablement is just one of several innovations Fuse introduced this year. The company’s AI Radio Environment (AIRE) application offers an interface for third-party AI developers to train on real-time radio frequency and network data models. It enables them to equip non-engineer warfighters with the ability to make informed, timely network decisions in support of the mission.

Additionally, Fuse’s groundbreaking GenAI too, RANGER (Radio and Network Guidance, Evaluation and Response) uses a Mixture of Experts (MoE) architecture to enhance performance on small SWaP edge devices like Fuse’s CORE® multi-function network controller.

When unveiling this year’s list, Washington Technology’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Wakeman, noted the prevalence of AI and machine learning which were, “by far the most common capability claimed by the Fast 50 companies this year, with 78% doing so. This dominance makes the argument that AI is not just marketing jargon, but has become table stakes for success in the public sector market.”

To qualify for the list, companies needed a minimum of $100,000 in government revenue in 2020. View the full 2025 Fast 50 list on the Washington Technology website.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Navy and Air Force vets now shape engineering and growth of company’s product portfolio

Fuse today announced that the San Diego Business Journal has honored two company leaders as 2025 Veteran Leaders of Influence. Jon Klaus, Director of Business Development, and Allen McAfee, Director of Engineering and Technology, and are among this year’s honorees. The annual SDBJ honor celebrates 50 influential veteran leaders who live and work in San Diego County for their contributions and commitment.

“Our teams are built by leaders who have lived the mission. Jon and Allen carry their decades of service into every decision they make at Fuse, always putting the warfighter first,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “This recognition reflects the strength of their character and the impact they continue to make for those on the front lines.”

Jon “Santa” Klaus served in a wide range of operational and leadership roles during his 30-year Air Force career, from instructor pilot and flight commander in the KC-135Q and evaluator pilot in the C-141 to operations officer for the C-21 and commander of a KC-135R squadron. He later served as the U.S. senior defense official and defense attaché to Sweden, advancing U.S.–Sweden defense cooperation and shared security objectives. Klaus was also assigned as a National Defense Fellow with the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress and as executive officer to the Air Force Chief Information Officer. Before joining Fuse, he was Vice President and Senior Director for Business Development at Saab Inc., where he developed, marketed, and sold air-related products across the U.S. defense services. Today, Klaus leads the development, implementation, and execution of growth strategies across the portfolio.

Allen “Kanye” McAfee’s time in uniform included more than six years as a Navy Corpsman with combat experience serving with 1st MARDIV in Iraq. After transitioning from military service, he built a strong record of success in new product development and introduction across both government and consumer markets, earning recognition such as the CES Best of Innovation Award and the Good Design® Award. He is an MBA candidate at the University of California San Diego, a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and an occasional mentor for the Tech Stars community. Today, McAfee leads the engineering development of product lines, overseeing engineering operations and capability demonstrations while ensuring all development efforts align with customer strategic goals. He champions warfighters’ needs through user-centric design and expertly balances the Fuse development cadence with evolving customer requirements.

For the full list of this year’s honorees, view the SDBJ 2025 Leaders of Influence profiles online.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

For fourth year, company recognized for supporting veterans, service members and their families

Fuse Integration, a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm, has been named a 2026 Military Friendly® Employer (Bronze) and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer. This marks the fourth consecutive year Fuse has earned recognition as a Military Friendly® Employer, underscoring its strong record of service to veterans and the broader military community.

“Serving those who serve is at the heart of who we are,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “Our team includes veterans, Guardsmen and military spouses who understand what’s at stake. Every system we build is guided by people who’ve been in the field and understand what it takes to keep warfighters connected, capable and mission-ready.”

Founded by military veterans 15 years ago, Fuse was built on the belief that defense communications and network solutions must be aligned with the mission requirements of users at the tactical edge. The company’s approach to hiring veterans is a deliberate strategy to bring operational insight and mission understanding into every solution it develops.

On the Fuse career page for veteran applicants, the company shares its ethos of “A Company of Heroes Supporting Heroes,” emphasizing that military service is central to its identity and operations. Key facts include:

• More than 35% of employees are transitioning service members, veterans or military-affiliated.
• More than half of company leaders are veterans.
• 3% of employees are current members of the National Guard and Reserve.
• The company’s offices proudly display military flags, unit insignia and a “patch wall” honoring visiting and employee warfighters.

This latest recognition reaffirms Fuse’s ongoing mission to deliver secure, networked solutions that advance warfighter capability and readiness.

More than 1,500 organizations compete annually for the prestigious Military Friendly® designation, which reflects an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Results are determined through a rules-based algorithm that evaluates employer programs, hiring outcomes and support for military-connected employees.

The full list of 2026 Military Friendly® Employers is available online.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Article spotlights company’s warfighter-focused approach, KRAKEN product line, and expanding international reach

Supply Chain World recently featured Fuse Integration in a spotlight article, highlighting its mission to deliver intuitive, resilient networking systems that enhance warfighter readiness.

In the interview, Fuse CEO Sumner Lee shares how his experience as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot shaped the company’s focus on design-led innovation. “In the technology realm of Navy and Department of Defense operations, there was not enough focus on user-centric design,” says Lee. “I founded Fuse in 2010 to combine commercial design processes with DoD technology — delivering secure, easy-to-use networks and communications to aircraft.”

Built around that philosophy, Fuse’s tactical edge networking systems deliver mission-ready connectivity across platforms. The company’s KRAKEN family of systems integrates tactical and IP links to augment platform capability and integrate emerging technologies.

The company is reaching strategic milestones. Having completed successful testing, the team is now preparing for increased production. “We’re in a transition phase as we go from being a small business to a full-rate production company with multiple platforms and programs,” Lee shared.

As Fuse expands, it continues to align its production and quality processes with international standards while exploring opportunities with global defense partners. “International cooperation and coalition are critical for today and tomorrow’s fight,” Lee explained. “By building compatibility between nations, we’re delivering the ability to communicate with global assets — whether it’s a U.S. helicopter, a German submarine, or a U.K. aircraft.”

Read the full article, “Fuse Integration is transforming military networks through user-centric innovations,” via Supply Chain World.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Groundbreaking solution recognized with highest honor

Fuse today announced that its Tactical Edge Network solution has received a 2025 Military + Aerospace Electronics Innovators Award, recognizing outstanding innovation in the defense and aerospace engineering industry. Selected by a panel of engineering judges, the Fuse TEN earned the program’s highest honor – Platinum level – designated for “superb innovation, characterized by a groundbreaking approach to meeting a need, and/or a new level of performance, efficiency, ease-of-use, or other beneficial quality.”

Fuse TEN is a modular software-based network management and optimization solution that extends connectivity around the world. It securely connects distributed air, sea, and land platforms to enable warfighters with the information they need, when and where they need it.

“Fuse was purpose-built to enable warfighters on the battlefield with enhanced situational awareness, faster decision-making, reduced data delays, and fortitude in contested environments,” said Fuse CEO,

Sumner Lee. “Our TEN solution does exactly that and we’re proud that Military + Aerospace Electronics is recognizing this innovative and essential technology.”

TEN enables the U.S. military and joint forces to exchange ISR and C2 data in contested environments. Its integrated IP and Tactical Data Link architecture is open and agile, designed to meet specific military requirements and adapt to changing needs from global areas of responsibility.

TEN has repeatedly been flown successfully on multiple aircraft, providing a TEN architecture ready for deployment today.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Fuse Integration CEO Sumner Lee recently joined the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence is redefining how military communications and networks are leveraged in contested environments.

In the conversation with host Woodrow Bellamy III, Lee emphasized, “AI is touching every aspect of modern communications — from sensors and radios to data routing and prioritization.”

He described how Fuse’s CORE and KRAKEN product lines simplify multi-domain communications by integrating SATCOM, mesh, and data link networks into a unified system, enabling warfighters to focus on their mission rather than managing complex communications tools. “By integrating AI into our network tools and enabling third-party developers through our API, we’re expanding how fast and how far these capabilities can evolve to benefit the warfighter,” he added.

Looking ahead, Lee noted that AI and software-defined systems are transforming how quickly the Department of Defense can adapt and field new capabilities. “We’re going to be able to change radios, frequencies, and waveforms through software updates, not hardware overhauls,” he said. “That agility will be a game-changer for future operations.”

Listen to the full Aerospace & Defense Technology episode, “AI-Powered Communications at the Tactical Edge,” here.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Fuse Integration has been named a 2025 EDGE Award honoree for its AIRE (AI Radio Environment) + RANGER (Radio and Network Guidance, Evaluation and Response) solution in the Communications & Networks category. The EDGE Awards, supported by the Engineering Design & Automation Group at Endeavor Business Media, champion the year’s most innovative technologies, as recognized by the engineering community.

“Recognition by the EDGE Awards validates our relentless focus on delivering solutions that directly strengthen the warfighter’s advantage at the tactical edge,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “AIRE and RANGER demonstrate how quickly and effectively Fuse can bring advanced technologies to the fight — today, not tomorrow. That’s what sets us apart: speed, agility, and a proven ability to meet the needs of the mission with solutions that work in the harshest conditions.”

Developed in late 2024, AIRE is a novel application interface that allows third-party AI developers to seamlessly integrate advanced capabilities into Fuse’s flagship CORE® family of multi-function network controllers. Built to operate in the most rugged environments across multiple security domains, CORE provides secure and reliable networking for manned and unmanned platforms at the tactical edge. By embedding AI solutions directly into CORE, AIRE enables real-time interaction with the Fuse Tactical Edge Network (FTEN) to optimize critical network parameters such as latency, throughput, and reliability.

Complementing AIRE is RANGER, an innovative GenAI tool designed to enhance system usability for non-technical warfighters. RANGER employs a Mixture of Experts (MoE) architecture to deliver AI-powered guidance and optimization on small SWaP edge devices, ensuring high performance in contested and constrained environments. Together, AIRE and RANGER provide the warfighter with resilience, adaptability, and efficiency in mission-critical communications.

“This award shows how Fuse is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at the tactical edge,” said Allen McAfee, Director of Engineering and Technology at Fuse. “AIRE gives third-party AI developers turnkey control over radios and routing already supported within the FTEN architecture, and its integration into our Virtual Network Test Bed makes it easy to train and refine those AI models. At the same time, warfighters are already excited about how RANGER can cut down the cognitive load in complex missions. That’s the Fuse difference: we move fast, we stay agile, and we make sure our solutions are built for the realities of the fight.”

AIRE and RANGER are available today to support missions across platforms.

Readers of Machine Design, Electronic Design, Power & Motion, Microwaves & RF, Automation World, Control, and Control Design chose the 2025 EDGE Award honorees.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Addition to CORE® family of products fulfills DoD vision for open architecture

Fuse Integration announced today the release of CORE® VPX, the latest addition to its CORE family of multifunction network controllers. This new 3U VPX form factor controller delivers resilient, secure communications for mission-critical systems across air, sea, and land domains.

“Warfighters need communication systems that just work — securely, reliably, and across domains,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “With CORE VPX, we’re delivering exactly that. It’s standards-based, open, and customizable to meet multiple mission needs.”

Aligned with Modular Open Systems Approach and Sensor Open Systems Architecture standards, CORE VPX is custom-built to be paired with a variety of apertures — including those that are digitally enabled. It supports both data and voice transmission over Global Lightning and commercial pLEO satellite networks, enabling Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) connectivity in contested environments.

CORE VPX is a multifunction device, purpose-built for integration into multiple joint platforms leveraging open architecture systems. Key features include SOSA-aligned plug-in cards, configurable with industry-leading CPU, GPU, FPGA/MPSoC; AI accelerators; and storage, network switching, and IO. This makes the system ideal for multi-domain operations requiring real-time intelligence, targeting data, and secure command-and-control links enabling communications, sensors, and network effects.

The system supports integrated transceiver modem cards and apertures for flexible deployment across airborne, shipboard, and ground-based platforms, including F/A-18 aircraft. Its compact, ruggedized design delivers high performance in a small footprint — accelerating decision advantage for joint and coalition forces.

CORE VPX is available now.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Media Contact:
Joyce Bosc
jbosc@boscobel.com
301-717-9529

CORE® demo to showcase secure, resilient, and adaptable communications for the modern battlespace

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2025 – Fuse Integration, a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm, today announced it will deliver a live, collaborative demonstration of network connectivity at the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, September 22-24 in National Harbor, Maryland. A joint demo of the company’s CORE® multi-function controller with Ultra I&C’s ADSI® gateway product will showcase the capability to transmit and receive a variety of text and image messages, ultimately improving situational awareness for joint and coalition forces across multi-domain operations. Additionally, the company will highlight other tactical edge networking products and solutions that provide modular, airborne networking capability.

“We’re bringing CORE to Air, Space & Cyber to show how our technology answers one of the toughest challenges in modern combat: delivering high-probability, low-latency, resilient connectivity exactly where warfighters need it most,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “With the CORE family, we’re proving how secure, adaptable networks give joint and coalition forces the real-time advantage to see, decide, and act across domains.”

The company’s theme at the conference is, “Where AI meets tactical edge networking.”

“This year, we’ll be showcasing a live demonstration of our multi-function network controllers: CORE® 4, CORE® 5, and the newly developed CORE® 6. In this demo, you’ll see how these solutions strengthen the kill chain by enabling Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) operations — set in a simulated Indo-Pacific theater,” said Jon Klaus, director of business development at Fuse. “Please come visit us at Booth 1666 to explore how our products and networking solutions are advancing mission readiness and resilience.”

FUSE BOOTH | Interactive Demos and Resources

Booth: 1666

Demonstrations

Live over-the-air network capability

Featured Solutions

CORE® multi-function network controllers, including CORE 6, CORE 5, and CORE 4

AIRE, or AI Radio Environment, transforming AI app development to optimize performance of DOD IP and tactical networks at the edge 

Roller CORE ruggedized SWaP networking technology in a FAA-compliant carry-on bag

Kraken-18 multi-platform gateway pod

To schedule an interview with Lee at or before Air, Space & Cyber 2025, contact Joyce Bosc at 301-717-9529 or jbosc@boscobel.com.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com

Growth reflects defense sector trust in mission-ready tactical edge networking solutions

Fuse Integration, a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm, today announced it has earned a place on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Fuse is ranked 2742 overall, 51 in San Diego and 35 in the Engineering industry. Fueled by increased adoption of its tactical edge networking solutions across the defense sector, this marks the third year that Fuse earned a spot on the prestigious list.

“Fuse is fielding mission-ready technologies and rapidly integrating next-generation, AI-enabled capabilities to ensure U.S. forces maintain the information advantage in any fight,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “Being named to the Inc. 5000 for the third year is a testament to our mission impact and the trust defense agencies place in us to deliver the tactical edge networking solutions they need today and into the future.”

Companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list are ranked according to their three-year revenue growth rate.

Over the past three years, Fuse has successfully executed a growing number of live demonstrations and exercises leading to program adoption of its solutions across multiple platforms. In 2024, NAVAIR selected the company’s CORE 4.0 multi-function network controllers for its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program of record.

Demonstrations and exercises are ongoing, with the successful test flight of Fuse’s Tactical Edge Network Targeting in a Contested Long-Range Environment (TENTaCLE) architecture deployed on a B-1B Lancer, announced earlier this year.

About Fuse Integration

Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com