Summit Ventures - Light Logo
Login
Get In Touch
Anduril

Anduril
Anthropic

Anthropic
Anysphere

Anysphere
Apptronik

Apptronik
Cerebras

Cerebras
Cognition Ai

Cognition Labs
Cohere

Cohere
crusoe-squareLogo-1754598302808

Crusoe
Databricks

Databricks
Discord

Discord
Groq

Groq
kalshi

Kalshi
Kraken

Kraken
Lambda

Lambda
Lightmatter

Lightmatter
Neuralink

Neuralink
Open AI

Open AI
Perplexity

Perplexity
Polymarket

Polymarket
New_Replit_Logo

Replit
Sandbox AQ

Sandbox AQ
Saronic

Saronic
Scale Ai

Scale AI
Shield Ai

Shield AI
Space X

Space X
Stripe

Stripe

Unconventional Inc.
xAI

xAI
Home / Company / Shield AI

Shield AI

Last Updated November 21, 2025

Shield AI is a defense technology company focused on applying artificial intelligence to autonomous military aviation. Its Hivemind AI pilot software stack enables uncrewed aircraft to navigate, perceive, and execute complex missions without GPS or continuous communications, operating at the tactical edge in highly contested electromagnetic environments. Hivemind has been integrated across more than fifteen aircraft types, from small quadcopters to Group 3 VTOL drones and legacy fighter testbeds such as the X-62A VISTA F-16.  The company pairs this software foundation with a growing portfolio of air platforms, including the Nova quadcopter for indoor and urban reconnaissance, the V-BAT VTOL drone used by U.S. and allied forces, and X-BAT, a purpose-built AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet targeting first flight in 2026 and production later in the decade. Working across U.S. DoD programs, Coast Guard ISR missions, and allied deployments in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, Shield AI positions itself as a vertically integrated autonomy provider for next-generation air combat and ISR operations. 
Company Overview: Shield AI
From an informational perspective, Shield AI represents one of the more mature independent platforms in the rapidly expanding military AI and autonomy market. Global AI-in-military spending is estimated at roughly $10.4 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at ~13.4% CAGR to the mid-2030s, driven by demand for autonomous systems, real-time analytics, and electronic warfare capabilities.  Against this backdrop, Shield AI has raised more than $1.3 billion in capital and reached a reported $5.3 billion valuation in March 2025, with strategic investors L3Harris and Hanwha joining a syndicate that includes Andreessen Horowitz and other specialized defense and deep-tech funds.  Third-party research places 2024 revenue near $267 million, reflecting strong year-over-year growth as the company scales production contracts, Coast Guard ISR services, and software licensing.  Strategically, Shield AI’s positioning centers on combat-proven autonomy and edge AI. Its systems have reportedly flown over 170 sorties in Ukraine, demonstrating GPS-denied operations in heavily contested airspace, while the X-BAT program extends its reach from drones into fighter-class aircraft.  Major U.S. and allied programs, including a nearly $200 million Coast Guard IDIQ for V-BAT services and participation in broader DoD modernization efforts, illustrate institutional demand for capabilities of this type.  These characteristics—market growth, strategic contracts, and a software-first approach—are often considered by investors evaluating exposure to defense autonomy and AI infrastructure, alongside risks related to defense budget cycles, regulatory scrutiny of autonomous weapons, competition from primes and peers, and the capital intensity of aircraft development. This section is intended to provide factual background on Shield AI’s market position and business model. It is not investment advice, does not constitute a recommendation, and should not be relied upon as a solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Investment Highlights

Valuation & Growth

  • Reached a reported ~$5.3B valuation in March 2025 following a $240M Series F-1 round, up from a prior valuation of ~$2.8B in late 2023, implying a significant step-up over roughly 15 months.
  • Third-party research estimates 2024 revenue at approximately $267M, reflecting strong year-over-year growth as the company moves from primarily R&D and prototyping into operational deployments and early production contracts.
  • Ranked #38 on CNBC’s 2025 Disruptor 50 list, signaling market recognition of Shield AI as one of the leading private companies in defense autonomy and AI infrastructure.

Funding & Investor Syndicate

  • Has raised an estimated ~$1.3B+ in combined equity and strategic financing since 2015, including multiple F-series rounds and earlier venture funding from Andreessen Horowitz, Point72 Ventures, and other specialist defense-tech investors.
  • March 2025 Series F-1 round led by L3Harris and Hanwha brought in major strategic defense primes as shareholders, aligning capital with distribution, integration, and international market access.
  • Previous rounds in 2022–2023 expanded the cap table to include U.S. and international strategic and financial investors focused on defense modernization and AI-enabled systems.

Combat-Proven Autonomy

  • Hivemind AI pilot has been deployed on at least 15 different aircraft platforms, from quadcopters to Group 3 VTOL drones and testbed fighters such as the X-62A VISTA F-16.
  • V-BAT VTOL drones have flown more than 170 sorties in Ukraine, operating in heavily contested electromagnetic environments and supporting ISR and targeting missions.
  • Nova quadcopters have been used in urban and indoor operations, including early deployments with U.S. special operations forces, demonstrating autonomous navigation without GPS.

Key Contracts & Programs

  • Secured a nearly $200M U.S. Coast Guard IDIQ contract for V-BAT contractor-owned, contractor-operated ISR services, establishing a recurring services and sustainment revenue stream.
  • Participates in major U.S. Air Force and joint modernization efforts, including JADC2-related programs and collaborative combat aircraft initiatives, alongside traditional primes and other next-generation defense firms.
  • Expanding international footprint through deployments and partnerships in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, leveraging strategic investors for market access and co-marketing.
Product & Technology Leadership

Hivemind AI Pilot

  • Core autonomy software that enables aircraft to perceive, decide, and fly complex missions in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments, using onboard compute rather than remote control links.
  • Employs sensor fusion, computer vision, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) to build and maintain situational awareness in cluttered and contested environments.
  • Designed to be platform-agnostic, with integrations reported across more than 15 aircraft types ranging from small unmanned systems to fighter testbeds.

Nova Quadcopter

  • Man-portable quadcopter designed for indoor and urban reconnaissance, providing autonomous navigation through buildings and tight spaces without GPS.
  • First AI-powered drone reported to have been deployed in U.S. military combat operations, supporting special operations missions.
  • Optimized for small-unit tactics, close-quarters ISR, and high-risk environments where GPS and communications can be denied or degraded.

V-BAT VTOL Drone

  • Vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft with long endurance and runway-independent operation, suitable for shipboard and austere land-based deployment.
  • Used by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard, with a nearly $200M Coast Guard IDIQ supporting contractor-owned ISR services for maritime domain awareness.
  • Reported to have flown more than 170 sorties in Ukraine, demonstrating performance in an actively contested air defense and electronic warfare environment.

X-BAT AI-Piloted Fighter Jet

  • New VTOL fighter-class aircraft designed from inception for AI-piloted operations in contested airspace, extending Hivemind from drones into tactical combat aviation.
  • Planned range of roughly 2,000+ nautical miles with vertical takeoff and landing capability, enabling operations from ships, forward bases, and non-traditional runways.
  • Powered initially by GE Aerospace’s F110-GE-129 engine, with first flight targeted for 2026 and early production later in the decade, subject to testing and regulatory milestones.

Hivemind Enterprise Platform

  • Software platform that exposes Hivemind capabilities to third-party developers and system integrators, enabling them to build autonomous behaviors and mission profiles on top of Shield AI’s autonomy stack.
  • Supports a SaaS-like licensing model that can be applied across multiple platforms and mission types, creating potential for higher-margin recurring software revenue.
  • Aims to abstract away low-level autonomy, allowing customers and partners to focus on mission configuration, payload integration, and system-of-systems orchestration.

DARPA ACE & Advanced Autonomy

  • Leverages AI dogfighting research originating from DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program and AlphaDogfight trials to inform air-to-air combat behaviors.
  • Demonstrated autonomous sorties on the X-62A VISTA F-16 testbed, contributing to core algorithms used in X-BAT and future combat autonomy applications.
  • Integrates lessons learned from these programs into broader Hivemind capabilities for collaborative combat aircraft and manned-unmanned teaming concepts.
 Market Position & Strategic Advantage

Scale & Role in Defense Autonomy

  • Recognized as one of the largest independent U.S. defense autonomy startups, with a reported multi-billion-dollar valuation and hundreds of employees across multiple sites.
  • Active in operational theaters such as Ukraine, where its V-BAT drones have flown more than 170 sorties, and in maritime and border security roles via Coast Guard and other deployments.
  • Operates at the intersection of AI software, uncrewed systems, and air combat modernization, positioning itself as an autonomy layer for next-generation air operations.

Competitive Landscape

  • Competes and collaborates with next-generation defense firms like Anduril, as well as with traditional primes such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX, which are also developing autonomous and AI-enabled systems.
  • Differs from pure software players (e.g., battlefield analytics platforms) by controlling both the autonomy stack and, in several cases, the airframes that host it.
  • Distinguished by a focus on GPS-denied autonomy and edge AI, with high-profile operational deployments and publicized performance in contested environments.

Strategic Positioning

  • Positions Hivemind as a reusable “AI pilot” that can be integrated into a growing range of aircraft, aiming to become a de facto standard for autonomy across drones and collaborative combat aircraft.
  • With X-BAT, expands from ISR and tactical drones into fighter-class aircraft, targeting future collaborative combat aircraft concepts and next-generation air dominance programs.
  • Strategic investors L3Harris and Hanwha provide pathways into U.S. and allied procurement channels, potentially amplifying Shield AI’s reach beyond what a standalone startup could achieve.

 

Financial Opportunity

Revenue Model & Economics

  • Generates revenue from a mix of hardware sales (e.g., V-BAT systems), contractor-owned, contractor-operated ISR services, development and integration contracts, and autonomy software licensing.
  • Hivemind Enterprise and related software offerings are designed to support higher-margin, recurring revenue streams compared with traditional defense hardware margins.
  • Large multi-year agreements such as the nearly $200M U.S. Coast Guard IDIQ create potential for ongoing services and sustainment revenue alongside initial deployment.

Growth Drivers

  • Broader AI-in-military and defense analytics markets are projected to grow from roughly $10.4B in 2024 to the mid-$30B range by 2034, implying mid-teens CAGR, driven by adoption of autonomous systems and AI-enabled decision support.
  • Rising demand for GPS-denied and communications-resilient systems, as demonstrated in Ukraine and other contested environments, supports investment in edge autonomy solutions like Hivemind and X-BAT.
  • Strategic partnerships with L3Harris, Hanwha, and other investors may accelerate international expansion and integration into larger platforms and programs of record.
  • Platform strategy around Hivemind Enterprise creates potential network effects as more aircraft types and mission profiles are integrated into a common autonomy stack.

Risk & Cyclicality Considerations

  • Revenue is heavily dependent on U.S. government and allied defense budgets; changes in priorities, appropriations, or procurement structures could materially affect growth.
  • Development timelines and cost profiles for X-BAT and other advanced systems introduce execution risk; delays or overruns could pressure valuation and funding needs.
  • Regulatory and ethical scrutiny of lethal autonomous weapons, export controls, and alliance policies may constrain international sales or require additional oversight and compliance investments.
  • Competition from both emerging defense-tech firms and established primes, many with deep program-of-record positions, may influence pricing, margins, and long-term contract awards.
  • Financial disclosures remain limited as a private company; key metrics such as profitability, cash burn, and unit economics are inferred from third-party estimates rather than detailed audited statements.
  • This overview is descriptive of business and market dynamics only and is not investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or instrument.
Company Snapshot

Founded: 2015

Headquarters: San Diego, CA, USA (global operations across the U.S., Europe, and select allied markets)

Total Capital Raised: ~$1.3B+ (approx., across equity and strategic funding rounds)

Latest Round: $240M Series F-1 (March 2025) led by L3Harris and Hanwha

Latest Reported Valuation: ~$5.3B post-money (March 2025)

2024 Revenue: ~${267}M (third-party estimate, not company-disclosed)

2023–2024 Revenue Growth: ~64% YoY (estimate based on external research)

Employees: ~1,000+ (approx., based on public sources and hiring data)

Primary Sector: AI-powered autonomous defense systems (air domain)

Key Operational Metric: 170+ autonomous sorties flown in Ukraine with V-BAT

Flagship Programs: Hivemind AI pilot, V-BAT VTOL drones, X-BAT AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet

Awards & Recognition: #38 on CNBC Disruptor 50 list (2025)

How Summit Ventures Works

Summit Ventures offers accredited investors exclusive access to shares in the secondary market, providing:

  • Network Access: Exposure to opportunities sourced through Summit’s
    relationships.
  • Market-Based Pricing: Valuations informed by current private-market activity.
  • Simplified Process: Streamlined subscription and administrative support.
  • Portfolio Exposure: Participation in select private technology companies.
Risk Disclaimer

Investment in private companies involves substantial risk and is suitable only for sophisticated investors who can bear the loss of their entire investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Other Companies of Interest
View More

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a U.S. defense technology company that develops AI-powered autonomous systems for military aviation, with a focus on operating in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, the company’s core product is Hivemind, an AI “pilot” that enables uncrewed aircraft to perceive, decide, and fly complex missions autonomously across a wide range of platforms, from small quadcopters to Group 3 VTOL drones and, now, a purpose-built fighter jet. Shield AI has reported more than 170 operational sorties in Ukraine using its V-BAT platform, and its systems have been employed in high-risk environments by U.S. and allied forces.

As of March 2025, Shield AI was valued at approximately $5.3 billion following a $240 million Series F-1 round led by defense prime L3Harris and Hanwha, bringing total primary and strategic funding to an estimated $1.3 billion or more across equity and debt. Third-party research estimates 2024 revenue at roughly $267 million, with strong year-over-year growth as the company shifts from R&D and prototyping toward production contracts and software licensing. In 2025, Shield AI was ranked #38 on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list, reflecting growing investor and public attention to defense autonomy and AI infrastructure.

The company’s portfolio spans the Nova quadcopter, the V-BAT VTOL drone, Hivemind Enterprise software, and X-BAT, an AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet designed for long-range operations in heavily contested airspace, with a planned first flight in 2026 and GE Aerospace’s F110 engine as the initial propulsion system. This profile is based on publicly available information and third-party estimates and is provided for informational purposes only. Summit Ventures is not affiliated with Shield AI and does not offer or recommend securities; Summit Ventures facilitates introductions through a network of partners. Nothing in this profile should be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.