Shield AI
Shield AI builds Hivemind, a platform-agnostic AI-pilot autonomy software deployed on 30+ unmanned platforms, and manufactures V-BAT and X-BAT autonomous aircraft. It serves U.S. military branches and allied foreign governments exclusively through direct defense procurement and OEM integration partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Shield AI does
Shield AI is a privately-held defense technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that develops AI-pilot autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and government customers. The company's core product is Hivemind, a platform-agnostic, Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) compliant mission autonomy system that assumes the role of a human pilot or operator, enabling unmanned systems to sense, decide, and act independently in GPS-denied and communications-denied environments. Hivemind is deployed across 30+ platform types including the F-16, MQ-20 Avenger, Airbus H145, BQM-177, Anduril YFQ-44A, Northrop Grumman Talon IQ, Destinus Hornet, HII Romulus USV, and Thunder Tiger Sea Shark, and is the most combat-deployed autonomous AI pilot globally with over 200 combat missions and 18,000 flight hours logged in Ukraine against Russian electronic warfare systems. The company operates a vertical stack combining Hivemind software with proprietary aircraft (the V-BAT VTOL ISR drone and the forthcoming X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter jet), Vision Systems computer vision suite (ViDAR, Tracker, Tracker C-UAS), the Benchmark post-flight analytics platform, and the recently acquired Aechelon Technology simulation division.
Shield AI generates revenue through three primary streams: sales of autonomous systems hardware (V-BAT and forthcoming X-BAT aircraft), recurring enterprise software licenses for Hivemind Enterprise and turnkey Hivemind Solutions, and contractor-owned, contractor-operated ISR services (competing for up to $800M in U.S. Navy ISR task orders). The go-to-market is exclusively direct enterprise field sales targeting U.S. military branches (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) and allied foreign governments, with no consumer or self-serve channels. More than half of current revenue comes from foreign government partners, with named customers across the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Norway, Ukraine, Taiwan, India, Singapore, and Japan, plus defense OEM partners including Anduril, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Airbus, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, HII, Destinus, Thunder Tiger, LIG Nex1, and EFA GROUP. The company has raised over $2.5 billion across multiple funding rounds, including a $2 billion Series G in March 2026 at a $12.7 billion post-money valuation, and operates nine offices across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific with approximately 1,000+ employees.
Shield AI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shield AI
- Legal name
- Shield AI, Inc.
- Website
- https://shield.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Shield AI builds Hivemind, a platform-agnostic AI-pilot autonomy software deployed on 30+ unmanned platforms, and manufactures V-BAT and X-BAT autonomous aircraft. It serves U.S. military branches and allied foreign governments exclusively through direct defense procurement and OEM integration partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shield AI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Autonomy Software & Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T) (IMABAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)
Keywords
Where Shield AI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Shield AI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Defense Autonomous Systems Sales: Revenue generated from selling AI pilot software (Hivemind), aircraft platforms (V-BAT, X-BAT), and simulation products to U.S. military branches and allied foreign governments. Mix includes one-time hardware sales and recurring software licenses. Projected $540M revenue in 2026 with ~80% CAGR. More than half of current business comes from foreign government partners.
- ISR Services: Contractor-owned, contractor-operated ISR services using V-BAT drone systems. Shield AI competes for up to $800M in Navy ISR task orders. Services include persistent maritime ISR for naval and joint force operations.
- Hivemind Enterprise Software: AI-powered software suite for customers to develop, test, and deploy AI pilots on their own unmanned systems. Customers retain full IP rights to autonomy built on Hivemind. Sold as enterprise licenses to defense manufacturers and government agencies (e.g., Republic of Singapore Air Force, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | LUCAS one-way attack drone at approximately $35,000 per unit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Shield AI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shield AI develops and sells Hivemind, its platform-agnostic AI pilot autonomy software that enables unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles, and surface vessels to operate independently in GPS- and communications-denied environments. The company pairs this software with proprietary aircraft products including the V-BAT VTOL ISR drone and forthcoming X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter jet, complemented by Vision Systems computer vision software (ViDAR, Tracker) for ISR, the Aechelon simulation platform for training, and the Benchmark post-flight analytics platform. Customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO member nations, and Indo-Pacific allied governments procuring through direct defense procurement channels and defense OEM integration partnerships.
Product overview
Shield AI's product portfolio is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture anchored by Hivemind, its core AI pilot autonomy software, which powers the company's proprietary aircraft (V-BAT and X-BAT), its Vision Systems computer vision suite (ViDAR, Tracker, Tracker C-UAS), and the Benchmark post-flight analytics platform. Hivemind is offered in two modes: Hivemind Enterprise (a developer-facing suite with SDKs and tools for partners to build their own autonomy) and Hivemind Solutions (full turnkey AI pilots built by Shield AI engineers). Following its June 2026 acquisition, Aechelon Technology — a leader in high-fidelity military simulation and synthetic reality — was integrated as a separate division, combining Aichelon's visual simulation capabilities with Hivemind's autonomy to accelerate the Hivemind Foundation Model for Defense. Shield AI's aircraft products include the combat-proven V-BAT VTOL ISR drone (Group 3) and the forthcoming X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter jet. Together, the portfolio delivers a vertical stack from simulation and training (Aechelon, Benchmark) through autonomy (Hivemind Enterprise/Solutions) to fielded operations (V-BAT, X-BAT) and post-mission analytics (Benchmark, Vision Systems).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hivemind Hivemind is Shield AI's flagship platform-agnostic, Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) compliant AI pilot software that assumes the role of a human pilot or operator, enabling unmanned systems to sense, decide, and act independently in contested GPS- and comms-denied environments. It dynamically reroutes missions, avoids obstacles, executes collaborative tactics with peer systems and piloted aircraft, and completes missions as part of human-machine teams. Hivemind powers coordinated multi-agent operations including CCA, LUCAS swarm, V-BAT teams, X-BAT teams, and maritime USV coordination.
- V-BAT V-BAT is a NATO Class I vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system featuring a ducted-fan design, heavy-fuel engine, 12+ hours of endurance, and 40 lb maximum payload capacity. Designed, tested, and deployed for contested electronic warfare environments with GPS and communications jamming, it is capable of unassisted launch and recovery from ship decks as small as 4.6m x 4.6m, urban rooftops, and austere environments. V-BAT powers ISR, targeting, maritime domain awareness, and kinetic strike missions.
- X-BAT X-BAT is the world's first AI-piloted autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter jet, powered by the Hivemind AI pilot. It features a modified GE Aerospace F110 engine with thrust-vectoring capability, 39 ft wingspan, greater than 2,000 NM range, greater than 50,000 ft ceiling, greater than 4g maneuver load factor, and internal and external weapons capacity. It launches from a mobile Launch and Recovery Vehicle with no runway required, with three X-BATs fitting in the deck space of one legacy fighter.
- Vision Systems Vision Systems is Shield AI's portfolio of proprietary computer vision hardware and software that turns EO/IR sensor data into real-time detection, tracking, and situational awareness at the edge. It includes ViDAR (passive wide-area search software and pod, with 3,140 NM²/hr coverage), Tracker (moving target indication and anomaly detection for crewed and uncrewed aircraft), and Tracker C-UAS (counter-drone detection using AI and computer vision to detect and discriminate small drones without radar or RF emissions).
- Aechelon Technology Simulation Platform Aechelon Technology is a defense simulation software company providing high-fidelity visual simulation, physics-based sensor modeling, and synthetic reality technologies. It supports the Pentagon's Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) and is the trusted tactical simulation choice of the U.S. military, U.S. Coast Guard, and allied nations. Aechelon enables pilots and autonomous systems to train in immersive, ultra-realistic virtual settings and now operates as a division within Shield AI combining its visual simulation capabilities with Hivemind's autonomy.
- Benchmark Benchmark is Shield AI's analytics platform for post-flight debrief, evaluation, scoring, and visualization. It uses AI to automatically identify and score procedures from TSPI data, captures errors, generates 3D visualizations, aggregates pilot performance data across squadrons, and delivers objective, standardized readiness assessments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200 combat missions logged by V-BAT in Ukraine
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Shield AI
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Shield AI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability9 records
Feature8 records
Shield AI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Aechelon TechnologycoreShield AI completed acquisition of Aechelon Technology, a leader in high-fidelity simulation and synthetic reality technologies. Previously a Sagewind Capital portfolio company. Aechelon will continue serving existing customers and government programs while expanding collaboration with Shield AI's Hivemind division. Co-founder Ignacio (Nacho) Sanz-Pastor now General Manager of Aechelon at Shield AI.
- General AtomicscoreHivemind integrated onto General Atomics' MQ-20 Avenger demonstrating multi-agent collaborative autonomy in live-virtual-construct environment. General Atomics is one of two companies selected for CCA air vehicle production (FQ-42A Dark Merlin). Shield AI's software competes for the mission autonomy software role.
- U.S. Air ForcecoreShield AI was awarded a U.S. Air Force production contract to implement Hivemind mission autonomy software for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. One of three companies (with Anduril and RTX Collins Aerospace) awarded production options in the autonomy software competition. Hivemind is flying aboard Anduril's YFQ-44A aircraft as part of the CCA development.
- Anduril IndustriescoreShield AI's Hivemind is being integrated onto Anduril's YFQ-44A (Fury) CCA aircraft for the U.S. Air Force CCA program. Mid-flight handoffs have been demonstrated between Anduril's Lattice and Shield AI's Hivemind stacks. Anduril was separately selected for CCA air vehicle production.
- UAV Navigation-Grupo OesíamajorShield AI signed strategic integration partnership with Spain's UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía to integrate Hivemind autonomy software with UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía's VECTOR autopilots and Mission Control Computer. Companies completed interoperability testing confirming Hivemind can execute missions on UAV Navigation-equipped platforms. Partnership aims to expand Hivemind across European unmanned systems.
- Airbus U.S. Space & DefensecoreShield AI serves as autonomy lead in partnership with Airbus, L3Harris, and Parry Labs on the U.S. Marine Corps' Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. Hivemind integrated onto H145 helicopter, successfully demonstrating autonomous landing zone clearance. Fourth autonomous flight test completed in April 2026.
- EFA GROUP (Greece)majorShield AI and EFA GROUP signed strategic partnership at Eurosatory defense exhibition to integrate Hivemind autonomy software with EFA GROUP's engineering and systems expertise for sovereign Greek operational capabilities. Partnership positions Greece as potential leader in autonomous defense technology across Europe.
- DestinusmajorShield AI and Destinus completed Phase 3 full-mission flight exercise demonstrating autonomous collaborative strike on Destinus Hornet interceptor system in Segovia, Spain. Hivemind executed autonomy-assisted mission planning, autonomous terrain following, in-flight target updates, and autonomous terminal maneuver execution. Next phase will transition to Destinus Ruta platform for deployment in Ukraine.
- U.S. Department of Defense / Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Research and EngineeringcoreSelected to integrate Hivemind onto the LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) one-way attack drone program. LUCAS is a reverse-engineered Shahed-136 platform. Hivemind enables autonomous swarm operations where a single operator commands multiple drones. Operational demonstration planned for fall 2026.
- Thunder Tiger (Taiwan)majorShield AI and Thunder Tiger Corp. signed MoU to integrate Hivemind across Thunder Tiger's unmanned systems portfolio, beginning with Sea Shark unmanned surface vessels. Partnership includes simulation-based testing, hardware-in-the-loop integration, and live vehicle testing, with live demonstration planned for summer 2026. Supports Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense asymmetric capabilities.
- JSW Defence (India)major$90M partnership with JSW Defence for local V-BAT manufacturing at a facility in Hyderabad, India. Shield AI India (wholly owned subsidiary) opened in New Delhi with plans for Bengaluru expansion to support Indian Ministry of Defence and defense software integration.
- Northrop GrummancoreNorthrop Grumman's Talon IQ testbed flew Shield AI's Hivemind software demonstrating hot-swapping of autonomy stacks mid-flight. Talon IQ used Scaled Composites Model 437 aircraft. Both companies competing in the CCA mission autonomy software pool.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan)majorShield AI and MHI completed autonomous flight tests integrating Hivemind onto MHI's Affordable Rapid-Prototyping Mitsubishi-Drone (ARMD) initiative in under 60 days. MHI used Hivemind Enterprise for autonomous development, advancing from software-in-the-loop to hardware-in-the-loop testing in under two weeks.
- HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries)majorShield AI and HII signed partnership to advance drone autonomy software. Hivemind integrated onto HII's Romulus uncrewed surface vessel (USV). HII established dedicated production line for Romulus USV at Bayou Metals in Slidell, Louisiana.
- AIDC (Taiwan)majorShield AI and AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation) signed Teaming Agreement to advance Taiwan's defense capabilities through autonomous systems integration.
- LIG Nex1 (South Korea)majorLIG Nex1 and Shield AI signed MoU at MADEX 2025 in Busan for joint development of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) solutions and autonomous mission systems. Collaboration includes integration of LIG Nex1's mission systems with Hivemind and joint efforts to expand in global defense markets.
- Republic of Singapore Air Force / DSTAmajorRSAF and DSTA partnered with Shield AI using Hivemind Enterprise for in-house autonomous capability development. Demonstrated Ascent SPIRIT aircraft autonomously rerouting around restricted airspace during multi-zone search and rescue exercise. Partnership builds sovereign capability for Singapore.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Shield AI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anduril Industries: Closest direct competitor — Anduril and Shield AI are both in the U.S. Air Force CCA mission autonomy pool and CCA airframe competition. Anduril's Lattice and Hivemind are being demonstrated for mid-flight handoffs, and Anduril's YFQ-44A is the airframe hosting Shield AI's Hivemind.
- RTX Corporation: Collins Aerospace (RTX division) is the third CCA mission autonomy competitor alongside Shield AI and Anduril. RTX is a Tier-1 defense prime with deep avionics, propulsion, and integration capability, making it a direct head-to-head in the autonomy-software competition.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos produces tactical unmanned aircraft (BQM-177, XQ-58 Valkyrie) that have hosted Shield AI's Hivemind. Kratos is the closest peer in low-cost, high-performance tactical UAS and competes for adjacent U.S. Air Force autonomy programs.
- AeroVironment: AeroVironment is a leading tactical UAS provider (Switchblade, JUMP 20) competing in the same Group 1-3 UAS and loitering munition categories as V-BAT and LUCAS. Direct overlap with Shield AI's product portfolio in defense procurement.
Broad incumbents
- General Atomics: GA produces the MQ-20 Avenger and FQ-42A Dark Merlin CCA airframes while simultaneously integrating Shield AI's Hivemind for autonomy demonstrations. GA competes as an airframe prime and is a partner/autonomy customer of Shield AI, creating an overlapping relationship.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman's Talon IQ testbed runs Hivemind and the company is competing in the CCA air vehicle and autonomy pools. As a Tier-1 defense prime with deep autonomy heritage (X-47B, Global Hawk), it is a competitor and integration partner in parallel.
- Lockheed Martin: Lockheed's Skunk Works produced the X-62A VISTA on which Hivemind flew and remains a major player in CCA-adjacent autonomy. Several former Skunk Works executives now lead Hivemind Engineering at Shield AI, while Lockheed is also a competing integrator for Marine Corps ALC.
- Palantir Technologies: Palantir partners with Shield AI to integrate Hivemind with Gotham/Foundry command-and-control platforms. While Palantir is not a direct autonomy competitor, it is a complementary/overlapping defense software platform competing for similar customer budget.
Emerging players
- Skydio: Skydio is a leading autonomy-focused UAS company (small drones) now expanding into defense and short-range reconnaissance. While its platform size differs from V-BAT/X-BAT, Skydio is a direct peer in the AI-pilot-for-drones category.
- Rebellion Defense: Rebellion Defense builds AI software for defense customers (mission planning, autonomous systems), making it a partial overlap with Hivemind Enterprise. Both compete for software-defined defense contracts and share similar buyer profiles.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shield AI social profiles
Digital presenceShield AI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Shield AI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shield AI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Shield AI subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Shield AI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds19 records
Investors36 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shield AI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shield AI
What does Shield AI do?
Shield AI develops and sells Hivemind, its platform-agnostic AI pilot autonomy software that enables unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles, and surface vessels to operate independently in GPS- and communications-denied environments. The company pairs this software with proprietary aircraft products including the V-BAT VTOL ISR drone and forthcoming X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter jet, complemented by Vision Systems computer vision software (ViDAR, Tracker) for ISR, the Aechelon simulation platform for training, and the Benchmark post-flight analytics platform. Customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO member nations, and Indo-Pacific allied governments procuring through direct defense procurement channels and defense OEM integration partnerships.
Is Shield AI a public or private company?
Shield AI is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Shield AI founded?
Shield AI was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Shield AI based?
Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Shield AI make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Defense Autonomous Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are ISR Services and hivemind Enterprise Software.
Who are Shield AI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anduril Industries, RTX Corporation, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and AeroVironment. Broad incumbents are General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Palantir Technologies. Emerging players are Skydio and Rebellion Defense.
Does Shield AI have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shield AI.
What industry is Shield AI in?
Shield AI's product category is Defense Autonomy Software & Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAOAI, Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T), with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.