BigBear.ai: The Under-the-Radar AI Defense Company Poised to be the Next Palantir

BigBear.ai, a little-known defense tech company, is up 357% over the last year. Its CEO, Kevin McAleenan, has close ties to the Trump administration, which may contribute to its growth. Despite Pentagon budget cuts, the company's share price rebounded following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement to double down on the Software Acquisition Pathway. BigBear.ai's focus on AI and its CEO's strategic relationships make it a potential candidate to emerge as the next Palantir.

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) has seen remarkable growth, surging 357% over the past year, despite market fluctuations. The company, a little-known defense tech player, has garnered attention due to its focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its CEO's strategic ties to the Trump administration.

BBAI closed at $7.95 in the latest trading session, marking a -3.28% move from the prior day. This performance was in line with the broader market, where the S&P 500 lost 0.01% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.05% [1]. The company's stock has been on a strong upward trajectory, gaining 107.58% in the past month, while the Computer and Technology sector gained 7.44% and the S&P 500 gained 5.37% in the same period [1].

The company's CEO, Kevin McAleenan, has close ties to the Trump administration, which may be contributing to its growth. Despite Pentagon budget cuts, BBAI's share price rebounded following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement to double down on the Software Acquisition Pathway. This initiative aims to streamline software acquisition processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, potentially benefiting companies like BigBear.ai [2].

BBAI's focus on AI and its CEO's strategic relationships make it a potential candidate to emerge as the next Palantir. The company's upcoming earnings release on August 11, 2025, is expected to be of great interest to investors. Analysts project earnings of -$0.07 per share, representing a year-over-year decline of 75%, while revenue is forecast to be $40.99 million, indicating a 3.04% growth compared to the prior year [1].

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for BBAI. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends, with upbeat changes indicating a favorable outlook on the company's health and profitability [1]. The Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes, currently rates BBAI as a #3 (Hold) [1].

The Computers - IT Services industry, which includes BBAI, is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 82, finds itself in the top 34% of all 250+ industries [1].

The company's strong performance and strategic positioning make it an intriguing investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on the AI and defense tech sectors. However, investors should closely monitor the company's earnings reports and any potential regulatory or market changes that could impact its growth trajectory.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bigbear-ai-holdings-inc-bbai-220003437.html
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/01/trump-mass-layoffs-cdc-fda/82754162007/