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.
As
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades]()
USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The US Air Force is assessing and identifying capability upgrades for the AEW&C aircraft, including the possible replacement of the E-7A’s MESA radar and electronic warfare self-protection system.
-
![Co-operation continues as tri-national F-35s break new ground in Pacific exercise]()
Co-operation continues as tri-national F-35s break new ground in Pacific exercise
The February exercise marked a milestone in multinational cooperation with fifth-generational air warfare capabilities, but will it continue considering shifting US politics?
-
![Why is the US far behind Russia and China in the space warfare domain?]()
Why is the US far behind Russia and China in the space warfare domain?
While Beijing and Moscow have been working on anti-satellite weapons at an accelerated speed, Washington still does not have capabilities to defeat them, with one US legislator describing the situation as “the Cuban Missile Crisis in space”.
-
![Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark]()
Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
