Shield AI raises $200 million to build the world’s best AI pilot

Shield AI V-BAT Teams
Shield AI V-BAT Teams enables multiple V-BATs to autonomously execute missions. (Image Credit: Shield AI)

Shield AI, a company dedicated to building the world’s most advanced AI pilot for aircraft, has announced the successful completion of a $200 million Series F funding round.

This investment has propelled Shield AI’s valuation to a remarkable $2.7 billion. Shield AI is the fourth multi-billion-dollar defense-tech startups in the past 20 years, alongside industry giants SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril.

Founded in 2015, the defense technology company Shield AI is building the “world’s best AI pilot”. Shield AI claims to be the “first and only autonomous AI pilot deployed since 2018”. The AI pilot is deployable to any aircraft – from quadcopters to F-16s.

Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s President, co-founder, and former Navy SEAL, said that the latest funding “accelerates the scaling of Shield AI’s products, enabling the deployment of intelligent, affordable mass—the most important non-nuclear deterrent for the next 30 years”.

Tseng said that Shied AI is building the “world’s best AI pilot to ensure air superiority” and prevent conflicts aiming for a world where “the greatest victory requires no war.” Thomas Tull, Chairman of the U.S. Innovative Technology Fund (USIT), acknowledged that the increasing number of military conflicts over the last 18 months “unfortunately paints a sobering view of our future defense technology needs and the important role AI will play”. However, he expressed optimism that Shield AI’s state-of-the art AI pilots and cutting-edge technologies will help “deter conflict before it begins”.

Funding details

  • Funding amount: US$200 million
  • Lead investor: U.S. Innovative Technology Fund and co-led by Riot Ventures
  • Funding Stage: Series F
  • Valuation: $2.7 billion

The funding round was led by the U.S. Innovative Technology Fund (USIT), co-led by Riot Ventures, with participation from ARK Invest, the brainchild of renowned investor Cathie Wood, and returning investors Disruptive and Snowpoint.

The infusion of $200 million in funding will accelerate the development and scaling of Shield AI’s innovative products. The funds will be used to: scale and deploy V-BAT Teams product domestically and internationally and accelerate tech integration with third-party uncrewed platforms.

What you need to know about Shield AI’s Autonomous AI Pilot?

The defense technology’s AI pilot called Hivemind reads and reacts to the battlefield similar to a human pilot. It makes decisions without the need for GPS, remote operators or command inputs. This technology approach is somewhat similar to those used in the self-driving car industry.

Hivemind enables teams of intelligent aircraft to perform missions autonomously ranging from room clearance to penetrating air defense systems and even dogfighting. The AI pilot has flown a F-16 fighter jet, a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a Nova quadcopter.

Shield AI has been working on integrating Hivemind into uncrewed fighter jets. In December 2022, the company, along with its government partners, made aviation history by autonomously maneuvering a modified F-16 in real-world air-combat scenarios.

Stephen Marcus, Co-Founder and General Partner of Riot Ventures, praised Shield AI’s leadership in the field of autonomy, emphasizing that the modern battlefield is increasingly defined by drone warfare in which the enemy could block communications and GPS. “Shield’s AI pilot doesn’t require GPS or communications because it’s smart and adaptable to the environment. Their AI is trainable and adaptable to many different missions and has flown teams of quadcopters, V-BATs, and modern fighter jets.”

Shield AI’s V-BAT Teams

The company has recently launched its cutting-edge vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT) Teams. This system enables a single human operator to command a minimum of four V-BATs, generating real-time AI-driven flight paths, and exhibiting dynamic read-and-react behaviors autonomously. V-BAT Teams can complete missions from start to finish without the need for an operator or pilot except for lethal decision-making.

The system allows multiple V-BATs to work together autonomously in electronic warfare environments and as part of a human-machine team as “an incredible force multiplier”. This system consists of a modular Nvidia GPU upgrade that runs Shield AI’s advanced AI pilot, Hivemind, loaded into the V-BAT’s payload bay.

V-BAT drone
V-BAT drone landing aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20) in the Philippine Sea, February 2, 2023. The V-BAT is an autonomous drone used for surveillance and reconnaissance. (Image Credit: US Marine Corps)

This technology helps military forces by providing continuous and cost-effective coverage over large areas, even in areas where the enemy disrupts communication. V-BAT Teams enables warfighters to locate, track and target enemy assets effectively.

Key features of V-BAT Teams

  • Autonomously execute missions in electronically contested environments.
  • Advanced AI technology for autonomous operation without GPS or communication
  • Ability to scale to support many aircraft. In future, V-BAT Teams can scale to support hundreds and even thousands of aircraft
  • Regular software updates, and efficient installation and management.
  • The system offers a significant advancement in aerial autonomy for military use.
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