Latest news with #BrandonTseng
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MQ-35 V-BAT's Capabilities Grow, Micro Guided Munitions Coming Next Year
Shield AI continues to make major enhancements to its versatile V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing drone, as well as the Hive Mind autonomy software that underpins its operations. From a successful combat trial in Ukraine to expanding V-BAT's connectivity and even getting kinetic strike options, our Jamie Hunter got the low-down on the future of the increasingly popular unmanned system from company co-founder Brandon Tseng on the floor of Sea Air Space 2025: Contact the editor: Tyler@
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Shield AI unveils V-BAT block upgrade powered by Hivemind: advanced autonomy, SATCOM, and heavy-fuel engine among new features
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and defense aircraft, today unveiled the latest evolution of its combat-proven V-BAT. The latest V-BAT offers Group 4 and 5 capabilities in a Group 3 package. It's purpose-built to solve the hardest operational problems facing the U.S. and its allies: finding and targeting threats in GPS- and communications-denied environments, securing borders, and enabling persistent maritime surveillance. 'The most forward-thinking militaries are swapping out their larger, more expensive ISR aircraft—which are too vulnerable for how much they cost — and accomplishing the same missions with smaller, more affordable drones, like V-BAT,' said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's President, Co-founder, and a former Navy SEAL. 'V-BAT is built for the full spectrum of drone missions—from deep-penetration ISR-T where GPS and comms are jammed to border security, search and rescue, and drug interdiction. If there's a mission out there, V-BAT can do it—faster, cheaper, and where others can't.' V-BAT now boasts a heavy-fuel engine optimized for JP-5, the most common maritime aircraft fuel, extending its endurance beyond 13 hours while ensuring seamless compatibility with naval and expeditionary operations. Enhancing its unmatched versatility, V-BAT now features a fully unassisted vertical launch and landing (VTOL) capability, eliminating the need for a human operator to assist in takeoff or recovery. It still requires no runway, catapult, or net recovery, and its patented ducted-fan design enables safe, precise landings on moving ships, rooftops, and confined areas—even in high winds and rough seas. These capabilities have made V-BAT the unmanned aircraft of choice for maritime and expeditionary forces, deploying on nearly every class of U.S. Navy ship and with all seven Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs). The U.S. Coast Guard recently selected V-BAT for a major ISR operations contract, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) named it their first-ever ship-based ISR platform. V-BAT is Hivemind Pilot-ready, enabling operators to integrate Shield AI's AI-powered autonomy software for best-in-class perception and cognition. SATCOM integration also provides Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) command and control (C2), allowing operators to conduct missions from anywhere in the world. V-BAT supports multi-payload integration, including ViDAR -enabled passive wide-area motion imagery, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic warfare payloads, expanding operational flexibility across domains. Visitors to the U.S. Navy League Sea-Air-Space Maritime Expo in National Harbor, Maryland, this week can see a special edition U.S. Coast Guard V-BAT model at Shield AI's booth (#1101). Stop by to learn more about V-BAT and how Shield AI is advancing autonomous aircraft for maritime operations. About Shield AI Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI's technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drone Defense Startup Shield AI Lands $5.3 Billion Valuation
(Bloomberg) -- Defense startup Shield AI has finalized a deal to raise $240 million from investors at a valuation of $5.3 billion — a funding round that adds billions to the company's valuation, and underscores Silicon Valley investors' interest in drones, autonomy and national security technology. Trump Administration Plans to Eliminate Dozens of Housing Offices Republican Mayor Braces for Tariffs: 'We Didn't Budget for This' NJ College to Merge With State School After Financial Stress How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold NYC's Finances Are Sinking With Gauge Falling to 11-Year Low The San Diego-based startup plans to use the cash infusion to expand its software offerings. Variations of Shield AI's Hivemind software can pilot autonomous vehicles as well as help companies build their own autonomous drones, robots and other systems. Investors in the deal include aerospace and defense company L3Harris Technologies Inc. and South Korean aerospace company Hanwha Aerospace Co. — along with Andreessen Horowitz, US Innovative Technology and Washington Harbour. Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg LP, is also an investor. Some details of the round were previously reported by the Information. Shield AI is most famous for its drone, called V-BAT, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. One is prominently displayed in its San Diego offices. But going forward, the company wants to be known for its software. 'This next phase is really about working with the small and medium businesses' that want to operate autonomous hardware across air, land or sea, Shield AI co-founder Brandon Tseng said. 'We've spent a decade and $1 billion-plus building this.' Shield AI was founded by Tseng, a former Navy Seal, and his brother Ryan Tseng, an engineer and former technical lead at Qualcomm Inc., who is now the startup's chief executive officer. Shield AI is one of dozens of defense startups to emerge in recent years with enthusiastic backing from venture capitalists. Investors have poured record amounts into AI, space weapons and other defense technologies, hoping the Pentagon will increase its tech spending as modern warfare evolves. ShieldAI's Hivemind software aims to make it easier for more developers and businesses to create autonomous hardware. The company's tools can also help pilot autonomous vehicles ranging from one-way attack drones to F-16s, and support swarming operations. Shield says its software can allow vehicles to execute complex missions autonomously, including when GPS and communications are jammed. Brandon Tseng said interest from investors, including defense contractors and VCs, has recently surged — adding that the company turned down 'massive checks' and that the current round was oversubscribed. 'Physical AI is the next thing and we are mobilized against it,' he said. 'Shield AI aspires to service the autonomous needs for the defense sector, like Palantir services its intelligence needs.' Tseng added that the company expects to close an additional round from other strategic investors in coming weeks that would be slightly smaller but would be 'significant.' Snack Makers Are Removing Fake Colors From Processed Foods An All-American Finance Empire Drew Billions—and a Regulator's Attention The Mysterious Billionaire Behind the World's Most Popular Vapes Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? Greenland Voters Weigh Their Election's Most Important Issue: Trump ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
