Shield AI unveils V-Bat block upgrade
The latest evolution of the V-Bat is built to solve issues with targeting threats in GPS-denied environments and enabling maritime surveillance. (Photo: Shield AI)
The heavy-fuel engine V-Bat was officially showcased at Sea Air Space, after it was first teased in February 2025.
Shield AI has officially unveiled its new upgrade variant of the V-Bat, at the Sea Air and Space exhibition on 7 April.
This upgraded V-Bat has a heavier fuel engine, optimised for JP-5 – the common maritime aircraft fuel – extending the uncrewed aerial vehicle’s endurance over 13 hours according to the company.
It also now has a fully unassisted vertical launch and landing (VTOL) capability, and like previous V-Bat variants, requires no catapult or runway. The variant has a higher MTOW of 73kg and payload capacity of 18.1kg, compared to 57kg and 11.3kg, respectively, of previous versions.
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