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Robot maker · registered

Shield AI

Defense marketsecurityCurated record
shield.ai

Shield AI develops the Hivemind autonomy stack; an AI pilot that enables unmanned aerial and ground systems to operate in GPS- and communications-denied environments without live data links. Hivemind has been flight-tested on F-16 fighter jets, MQ-20 Avenger drones, and MQM-178 Firejets in U.S. military exercises. The V-BAT VTOL drone carries Hivemind into operational field deployments, completing more than 35 combat ISR missions and identifying over 200 Russian military targets in Ukraine during 2025. Shield AI acquired simulation firm Aechelon in 2026 to deepen its autonomy development and training pipeline.

HeadquartersSan Diego, US
Founded2015
Defense funding$2.7B
Team1000+
Deployments7
Open roles412
01

Company overview

Identity and operating footprint

Company typeRobot maker
Market segmentDefense
StageSeries G
FoundersBrandon Tseng (Co-founder & President), Ryan Tseng (Co-founder), Andrew Reiter (Co-founder)
Regions servedUS, NATO allies, UA
Countries deployedNot listed
Service footprintNot listed
Last reviewed2026-07-05
MX

Robot models

Specifications remain vendor-claimed

Machinesecurity

V-BAT

  • Operates autonomously in GPS- and communications-denied environments executing ISR missions

    Hivemind autonomy stack enables V-BAT VTOL drone to navigate, plan, and complete reconnaissance missions without live datalinks or operator commands

    Claim source
Machinesecurity

X-BAT

  • Autonomous fixed-wing aircraft with ground-launch capability for ISR and strike missions

    Vendor-described capability

    Claim source
DP

Deployment log

Announced and cited only

AnnouncedCustomerSiteCountryCountEvidence
2026-06-25Polish NavynavyPLNot disclosedAnnouncement
2026-06-17U.S. Air Force (Hivemind CCA production contract)defense / autonomous combat aircraftUSNot disclosedAnnouncement
2026-03-30Royal Netherlands Navyshipboard maritime ISR UAS (12 V-BAT systems, 8 vessels equipped)NL12Announcement
2026-01-28Indian Armybattlefield ISR VTOL UAS ($35M emergency procurement, V-BAT + Hivemind)INNot disclosedAnnouncement
2025-02-28Romanian Naval Forces (V-BAT systems via US Maritime Domain Awareness donation + G2G purchase)frigate ISR detachmentRO12Announcement
2025-01-30Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (ship-launched V-BAT, multi-year deal)warship ISR detachmentJPNot disclosedAnnouncement
2024-07-01U.S. Coast Guardshipboard maritime ISR UAS services (V-BAT on cutters)USNot disclosedAnnouncement
CA

Funding history

Publicly announced rounds

Investors on recordAdvent InternationalJPMorgan ChaseBlackstoneL3Harris TechnologiesHanwha Asset Management
HR

Hiring signal

Public job board · 2026-07-13

Open roles412

Hiring is an operating signal, not deployment evidence. Roles are refreshed from the company’s public careers system.

Equity Program Manager (R4944)Accounting · San Francisco, CaliforniaERP Admin, Finance & Project Functional Lead (R5061)Accounting · San Diego, CaliforniaERP Admin, Manufacturing & Maintenance Functional Lead (R5062)Accounting · Dallas, TexasSenior Manager, Accounting (R5107)Accounting · San Diego, CaliforniaSenior Manager, Finance (R4839)Accounting · New DelhiSenior Manager, Treasury (R5211)Accounting · United StatesTax Manager (R4989)Accounting · San Diego, CaliforniaTax Manager(R4989)Accounting · San Francisco, California
TL

Company timeline

Milestones and announcements

2026-03-26Raised $2B Series G at $12.7B valuation led by Advent International with JPMorgan Chase and Blackstone; announced acquisition of simulation firm AechelonShield AI
2025-12-31V-BAT executed 35+ combat ISR missions and identified 200+ Russian military targets in Ukraine, passing rigorous jamming-environment testsFortune
2025-03-01Raised $240M Series F-1 at $5.3B valuation with participation from L3Harris Technologies and Hanwha Asset ManagementPR Newswire
SC

Source ledger

18 unique public sources

01
Shield AI to acquire software simulation company Aechelon and raise $2B at $12.7B valuationShield AI · retrieved 2026-07-05
02
Shield AI raises $240M at $5.3B valuation to scale Hivemind Enterprise, an AI-powered autonomy developer platformPR Newswire · retrieved 2026-07-05
03
SEC Form D: $281,337,791 sold of $305,000,052 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
04
SEC Form D: $73,043,066 sold of $150,000,029 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
05
SEC Form D: $52,949,905 sold of $75,000,000 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
06
SEC Form D: $22,200,000 sold of $25,000,000 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
07
SEC Form D: $10,499,995 sold of $10,500,000 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
08
SEC Form D: $2,645,121 sold of $2,645,121 offeringSEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
09
Shield AI – Autonomous AircraftShield AI · retrieved 2026-07-05
10
Poland buys V-BAT drones to boost Baltic Sea naval operationsDefense News · retrieved 2026-07-05
11
Shield AI awarded U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft mission autonomyPR Newswire · retrieved 2026-07-05
12
V-BAT Drones Now Operational With Royal Netherlands NavyThe Defense Post · retrieved 2026-07-05
13
Shield AI to supply V-BAT drones to Indian ArmyArmy Technology · retrieved 2026-07-05
14
Romanian Navy to Acquire V-BAT Drones for $30 MillionThe Defense Post · retrieved 2026-07-05
15
Japan inks deal with Shield AI for sea-based V-BAT dronesBreaking Defense · retrieved 2026-07-05
16
Shield AI's V-BAT selected for $198 million contract to provide U.S. Coast Guard with maritime unmanned aircraft system servicesShield AI · retrieved 2026-07-05
17
Huntington Ingalls Industries 8-K 2025SEC EDGAR · retrieved 2026-07-05
18
Shield AI projecting more than $540M in revenue this year as valuation more than doubles to $12.7 billionFortune · retrieved 2026-07-05