Shield AI has announced a new upgrade to its V-BAT unmanned aerial system (UAS), showcasing the enhanced version at the Sea-Air-Space Maritime Expo in National Harbor, Maryland. The latest V-BAT integrates advanced autonomy powered by Shield AI’s Hivemind software, along with new features such as SATCOM connectivity and a heavy-fuel engine.
The upgraded V-BAT delivers Group 4 and 5 capabilities within a Group 3 aircraft, offering improved performance in GPS- and communication-denied environments. Its mission scope includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), border security, maritime patrol, and support for operations requiring persistent presence and mobility.
The new heavy-fuel engine supports JP-5 fuel, commonly used in maritime operations, and extends flight endurance beyond 13 hours. The platform now enables fully autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), requiring no human assistance, runways, catapults, or recovery nets. Its ducted-fan design allows precise landing on ships, rooftops, and tight spaces—even under harsh weather conditions.
V-BAT has become widely adopted by U.S. maritime and expeditionary forces. It is deployed on nearly every class of U.S. Navy ship, with all seven Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and was recently selected by the U.S. Coast Guard for a major ISR contract. It has also been adopted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as its first ship-based ISR platform.
The system supports multiple payloads, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electronic warfare equipment, and Shield AI’s ViDAR sensor for wide-area motion imagery. SATCOM integration allows Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) command and control, enabling global remote operations. The drone is fully compatible with Shield AI’s Hivemind Pilot for autonomous perception and decision-making in complex environments.
Shield AI, founded in 2015, develops AI-powered autonomous systems for defense applications. With offices in the U.S., UAE, Ukraine, and Australia, the company supports U.S. and allied missions globally.