Shield AI successfully demonstrates autonomous teaming with V-BAT UAS
Shield AI has completed an autonomous teaming demonstration using three V-BAT UAS. (Photo: Shield AI)
Shield AI has completed an autonomous teaming demonstration using three V-BAT UAS, showcasing their Hivemind AI pilot and paving the way for deployable teaming capabilities in GPS-denied environments.
The demonstration was the final milestone of the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force (AFWERX) autonomy effort under its Strategic Funding Increase programme and in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Sensors Directorate.
Shield AI used its Hivemind AI pilot to launch a team of three V-BATs to monitor and surveil simulated wildfires. The multi-agent, coordinated team conducted detect, identify, locate, and report (DILR) missions in a contingency scenario with dual-use applications.
This work with AFWERX sets Shield AI on a path to deploy V-BAT teaming capabilities in GPS- and- communications-denied environments in 2024.
Related Articles
Shield AI, Sentient Vision collaborate on AI-enabled wide-area imagery
Shield AI’s president Brandon Tseng said: ‘Intelligent, affordable mass that can see everything on the battlefield, execute the mission even when GPS and comms are denied or degraded, and put all our adversaries’ military assets at risk at all times is the Holy Grail of deterrence. This milestone brings us closer to achieving that reality.’
‘We had many customers from across the DoD enterprise attend the event and my favourite customer quote was “Wait, you’re flying those three aircraft, doing the recon, and at the same time briefing us?”’
Hivemind can be trained for a variety of missions and its modular open systems architecture enables portability to other aircraft. It has flown quadcopters, V-BATs and jet aircraft.
V-BAT teaming capabilities in GPS- and- communications-denied environments are expected to be deployed in 2024. (Photo: Shield AI)
According to the company Hivemind can be trained to undertake a range of missions, including integrated air defence breach, SCUD missile hunting, zone reconnaissance, counter-air, beyond-visual-range strike, maritime domain awareness and communications-contested operations.
AFWERX prime division chief Col Tom Meagher said: ‘What’s exciting to us is not just the capability that teaming V-BATs can bring to the table or how it’s on a great path for fielding with DoD partners, but how autonomy stacks can be leveraged across different aircraft and programmes.’
‘The continual application of autonomy from small systems, now V-BAT, and onto larger platforms provides paths for industry progression and autonomy maturation.’
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) (Increment 2) [US Army]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium trajectory continues to climb (updated 2026)]()
Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium trajectory continues to climb (updated 2026)
The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.
-
![USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026]()
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
![“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era]()
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
