Shield AI

Shield AI is a deep-tech company founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter. Based in San Diego, California, the company focuses on developing artificial intelligence-powered systems for military and defence applications. The company’s core mission is to protect service members and civilians using intelligent systems, particularly AI pilots for various military assets, including drones, aircraft, ships, submarines, and satellites.
 

The company’s first breakthrough product, Nova, was the first AI-powered drone deployed by the US military for defence purposes in 2018. It provides autonomous reconnaissance capabilities, including entering hostile buildings and delivering real-time images to support military operations. In addition, Shield AI developed Hivemind, an AI software stack that enables drones and aircraft to operate autonomously in GPS-degraded environments.
 

In recent years, Shield AI has expanded its product line with the V-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and the Hivemind Enterprise platform for rapid development and deployment of mission autonomy. Shield AI's products are used by the US Department of Defence, including the US Air Force, Navy, and Special Operations Command, as well as international military forces.
 

The company has also made significant strides in securing contracts, including a $7.2 million deal with the US Air Force and a $60 million contract under the Pentagon’s AFWERX program. In 2022, Shield AI was valued at $2.3 billion after a $165 million funding round. The company has expanded globally with offices in the UAE and Ukraine to support operations and collaborations with allied forces.

Shield AI is a defence technology company founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, his brother Ryan Tseng, and engineer Andrew Reiter. The idea for the company emerged from Brandon’s experiences during military operations, particularly in Afghanistan, where he observed the risks associated with manual reconnaissance in hostile environments. Determined to improve safety and effectiveness, the team set out to develop autonomous systems capable of operating in GPS- and communication-denied areas.
 

The company’s first major product was Nova, an autonomous quadcopter drone designed for indoor reconnaissance. Nova utilised LIDAR technology to navigate complex environments without relying on GPS, providing real-time mapping and situational awareness to military personnel. In 2016, Shield AI secured its first contract with the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit, leading to Nova's deployment in the Middle East in 2018.
 

In 2021, Shield AI expanded its capabilities by acquiring Martin UAV, a developer of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. This acquisition led to the development of the V-BAT, a drone capable of both hovering and forward flight, suitable for various military applications. The V-BAT has been deployed in multiple regions, including the Black Sea, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, demonstrating resilience in electronic warfare environments.
 

To enhance its autonomy software, Shield AI developed Hivemind, an AI pilot system that enables drones to perform complex missions without human intervention. Hivemind has been integrated into various platforms, including the V-BAT and Nova drones, allowing for coordinated operations and advanced mission execution.
 

The company's growth has been supported by significant funding rounds, including a $200 million Series F round in 2023, bringing its valuation to $2.7 billion. Shield AI has also expanded internationally, with offices in the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine, and has secured contracts with the U.S. Coast Guard and other international clients.
 

As of 2025, Shield AI continues to innovate in autonomous systems, focusing on providing intelligent solutions for defence operations. The company remains committed to its mission of protecting service members and civilians through advanced technology.

Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians by developing intelligent systems that enhance safety and efficiency. By using artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, Shield AI creates autonomous drones and aircraft that can operate independently in complex, GPS-denied environments. Their technology is designed to help military forces make better decisions, act faster, and reduce human risk during critical missions. The company aims to ensure that defence operations can be more effective, secure, and resilient in challenging environments, supporting both the military and humanitarian efforts globally.

Shield AI envisions a future where autonomous systems are at the forefront of military and defence operations, ensuring safer missions and reducing human risk. Their goal is to revolutionise defence technology through AI, enabling unmanned systems to perform complex tasks independently, even in environments without communication or GPS. By providing military forces with reliable, intelligent machines, Shield AI aims to transform how defence operations are conducted. They believe that by developing advanced autonomy, they can support nations in protecting civilians, ensuring national security, and maintaining global peace in the most demanding conditions.

Shield AI has received significant recognition for its innovative contributions to defence technology. In 2020, it was ranked 5th in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies in the Robotics category. The company was also listed among Forbes’ America’s Most Promising AI Companies in 2021. In the same year, Shield AI’s Nova drone was recognised by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 100 robots in history. More recently, the company was named in Forbes' AI 50 list in 2023 and ranked 38th in CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list in 2025, showcasing its impact on the industry.

Shield AI is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy technologies, primarily designed for military and defence applications. The company focuses on creating intelligent systems that can operate autonomously in complex and challenging environments, ensuring greater safety and efficiency for military personnel and civilians. Their products and services revolve around AI-powered drones and autonomous systems that enhance the capabilities of defence operations.
 

1. Nova Drone

The Nova is one of Shield AI's flagship products, an autonomous quadcopter drone designed specifically for indoor and urban reconnaissance missions. Equipped with LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, the Nova can navigate environments without the need for GPS, making it highly effective in GPS-denied areas, such as within buildings or in heavily contested zones. It autonomously maps and provides real-time situational awareness to military personnel, helping them make more informed decisions.
 

The Nova is also designed to be easily deployable in high-risk environments, reducing the need for human operators to enter dangerous zones. The drone’s ability to fly in complex environments such as urban buildings, caves, or tunnels makes it invaluable for missions like room clearing, target identification, and real-time surveillance in conflict zones. Nova was first deployed for reconnaissance operations in the Middle East in 2018, marking a significant milestone as one of the first AI-powered drones used in combat.
 

2. V-BAT
 

The V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone that combines the capabilities of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. This unique design allows it to take off and land vertically, making it ideal for operations in confined spaces, such as ships, urban areas, and small military bases. The V-BAT has been used for a wide range of military applications, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
 

The V-BAT is equipped with the latest autonomy technology from Shield AI, including the Hivemind AI system, which enables it to operate independently and autonomously. The drone can fly in both rural and urban environments and is designed to work seamlessly in electronic warfare settings, where traditional GPS and communication systems may be unreliable or unavailable. The V-BAT has been deployed in regions such as the Black Sea and the Middle East, providing real-time surveillance and strategic intelligence.
 

3. Hivemind
 

Hivemind is Shield AI's cutting-edge autonomy software stack that powers their drones, including Nova and V-BAT. It allows platforms to perform complex, mission-critical tasks autonomously, without human intervention. Hivemind enables the drones to make decisions in real-time, process data, and execute actions on the ground or in the air without requiring continuous communication with human operators.
 

The software is built to operate in environments where GPS or other communication systems may not be functional. This makes it particularly valuable for defence operations in contested areas, where connectivity is often lost. Hivemind’s modular design also ensures that it can be integrated into various platforms, whether for drones, aircraft, or other unmanned systems. It also allows for coordination across multiple platforms, enabling the operation of drone swarms or teams of assets working together autonomously.
 

4. Hivemind Enterprise
 

Hivemind Enterprise is a software platform designed to help defence contractors, military operators, and other organisations rapidly develop, test, and deploy mission autonomy. The platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools for building AI-powered systems that can perform in real-world conditions, particularly in complex, dynamic, and contested environments.
 

This platform allows users to create customised solutions for specific missions, including ISR, search and rescue, and surveillance. The goal is to reduce the time and cost typically associated with developing autonomous systems by providing a modular, adaptable, and scalable environment that accelerates the deployment of autonomous technologies. Through Hivemind Enterprise, Shield AI offers not only the software but also expertise in integrating and deploying autonomy into defence systems.
 

5. Forge
 

Forge is another integral part of Shield AI’s product suite. It is a software factory designed to streamline the development and deployment of autonomous systems. Forge enables engineering teams to design, test, and analyse autonomous machines in a unified environment, making it easier to implement autonomy on various platforms. The system allows for the creation of high-performance autonomy software with reduced time-to-market, supporting rapid adaptation to new challenges and technologies.

6. ISR and Targeting Solutions
 

Shield AI provides specialised solutions for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. These products combine AI and advanced sensor technology to offer detailed and precise situational awareness, including tracking targets across land, sea, and air. These capabilities help military forces detect, identify, and act on threats quickly and effectively.
 

Their ISR systems are powered by ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging), which integrates AI with multi-spectral cameras to enhance the range and capabilities of surveillance in all weather conditions. The technology allows for the detection of targets, even in harsh conditions such as high sea states, and is a key tool in maritime and search-and-rescue operations.