Palantir Secures Key Defense Authorization in Major Expansion Push

Palantir Technologies Inc. has achieved a significant milestone in its government contracting efforts, receiving a crucial defense authorization on February 12, 2026. The approval from the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) broadens the deployment scope for the company's cloud services into localized and edge computing environments. This development capped a week of substantial progress for the data analytics firm, which also saw a key partnership renewal and a favorable shift in analyst sentiment.

The week's positive momentum began on February 10 when Daiwa Capital Markets revised its rating on Palantir shares from "Hold" to "Buy." Analyst Shigemichi Yoshizu adjusted the price target to $180, down from a previous $200, citing heightened volatility across the broader software sector. This upgrade followed the company's quarterly earnings release on February 2.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, Palantir reported revenue of $1.41 billion, representing a substantial 70% year-over-year increase. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, surpassing consensus estimates. Looking ahead, management provided 2026 revenue guidance in the range of $7.18 billion to $7.20 billion, implying 61% growth and exceeding market expectations.

DISA Authorization Unlocks New Deployment Flexibility

The DISA authorization specifically applies to the Palantir Federal Cloud Service (PFCS) Forward, extending existing Impact Level 5 and Impact Level 6 security approvals. This critical clearance allows Palantir's entire technology suite—including its Apollo, Gotham, Foundry, and AIP platforms—to be deployed in a wider array of environments.

These now range from enterprise data centers to tactical edge locations. A key feature of the "Authorize Once, Use Many" model is that it permits software installation on customer-selected hardware, aiming to streamline procurement and accelerate approval timelines.

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Akash Jain, President and Chief Technology Officer of Palantir USG, highlighted the strategic importance: "The future of warfare demands software that can be deployed anywhere. PFCS Forward delivers a hardware-agnostic authorization for mission-critical capabilities with the necessary survivability."

Commercial Strength Demonstrated by Airbus Partnership Renewal

Further demonstrating its commercial traction, Palantir announced on February 10 a multi-year extension of its collaboration with aerospace giant Airbus. The company will continue as the technology partner for Skywise, Airbus's open data platform for the commercial aviation sector.

Over 50,000 users engage with Skywise daily for functions spanning planning, supply chain management, flight operations, and aircraft production. The partnership, established in 2015, is now focused on integrating advanced, AI-driven features powered by multiple large language models.

Healthcare Sector Expansion Through Cognizant Alliance

Earlier in the month, on February 5, Palantir revealed a separate strategic partnership with Cognizant. This collaboration targets AI-powered modernization within the healthcare sector and enterprise operations. The initiative will leverage Palantir's Foundry and AIP platforms on Cognizant's TriZetto platforms.

Strategic Outlook

The recent DISA authorization significantly enhances Palantir's flexibility in competing for defense contracts and provides access to classified environments. Coupled with the Airbus extension and the analyst upgrade, these developments underscore the company's simultaneous momentum in both its government and commercial business segments. The expansion into the regulated healthcare market via the Cognizant alliance may unlock additional revenue streams in the medium term.