August 22, 2025 – Tradewinds Networks, Inc., (TNI), a leader in Edge AI systems integration and cybersecurity, has partnered with Ecrio Inc., a pioneer in AI-Powered real-time communications software, to deliver cutting-edge AI infrastructure for Aerojet Aviation’s flagship MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) facility at Kokota International Airport (KIA) in Ghana. This collaboration marks the launch of a 5-year, $25 million deployment transforming West Africa’s aviation landscape.

Empowering Africa’s Aviation Future with Edge AI
At the heart of the deployment is an on-premises Edge AI data center designed to deliver Industry 5.0-grade inventory management and paperless operations. The system integrates:

• Tradewinds’ GuardTower+ platform for real-time threat detection and autonomous cybersecurity enforcement
• Ecrio’s iota-eEdge AI Communication Suite, built on the FlexEDGE™ architecture for secure, low-latency human-to-machine and machine-to-machine interaction
• Dell PowerEdge XR8000 ruggedized edge servers, engineered for harsh environments and AI performance
• Intel 4th Gen Xeon® Scalable processors for low-latency, high-efficiency AI inferencing

This integrated stack is optimized for aviation, defense, and industrial edge environments.

“GuardTower+ transforms passive systems into living defense layers,” said John Santoyo, CEO of Tradewinds Networks Inc. “With Ecrio, Dell, and Intel, we’re building Africa’s most advanced edge AI ecosystem - setting new benchmarks in security, performance, and resilience.”

The platform empowers Aerojet’s new MRO facility to serve as a regional aviation hub on par with centers in Singapore and Dubai, reducing operational costs and increasing digital capability throughout West and Central Africa.

Michel Gannage, founder and CEO of Ecrio Inc., said, “Deploying voice-activated Edge AI in mission-critical environments is a breakthrough for safety, speed, and situational awareness. This partnership shapes the next era of resilient aviation infrastructure.”

Leveraging the Dell PowerEdge XR8000, engineered for the most demanding edge AI workloads, and powered by 4th Gen Intel® Xeon® processors, this strategic partnership brings rugged, real-time AI inferencing capabilities to the forefront of Africa’s aviation infrastructure. The collaboration showcases how advanced, purpose-built hardware and high-performance processing enable resilient operations and seamless digital transformation at the far edge, supporting next-generation applications in mission-critical environments.

Integrated Edge Intelligence: Built for Critical Environments
GuardTower+ fuses mission-critical communications with cyber-physical protection, delivering:

• Secure voice, video, and messaging over private 5G and Wi-Fi 7
• AI-enhanced object detection and threat intelligence with human oversight
• Voice-controlled operation of IoT sensors, drones, and robotics
• Automated, context-aware security policies based on real-time data streams
• Seamless integration with existing aviation, defense, and industrial applications