Latest news with #V-BAT
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India set to build US-origin combat drones at home in rare tech transfer deal
India is close to clinching a landmark deal with US-based defence tech firm Shield AI to acquire and locally manufacture its V-BAT combat drones, marking a rare instance of technology transfer in India's defence procurement landscape. As reported by Mint, the deal is part of a $4.5 billion emergency procurement programme initiated shortly after Operation Sindoor. Under the plan, the Defence Ministry is in advanced talks with Shield AI to supply enhanced V-BAT drones to the Indian Air Force (IAF), while simultaneously setting up a domestic production line through a joint venture with JSW Defence, a division of the JSW Group. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category CXO Design Thinking MCA Leadership Data Science Others PGDM Technology Data Analytics Management healthcare Degree Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence Project Management Public Policy Cybersecurity Product Management Finance Healthcare Data Science Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategy & Innovation Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation Leadership in Technology Management Cybersecurity & Risk Management Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Technology Officer Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Strategy Development Expertise Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends Data-driven Decision Making Leadership in the Digital Age Duration: 40 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Digital Officer Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Operations Strategy for Business Excellence Organizational Transformation Corporate Communication & Crisis Management Capstone Project Presentation Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow Chief Operations Officer Programme Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details The first contract for the IAF is expected to be worth $35 million, the ceiling for emergency procurement contracts. But the broader collaboration goes well beyond acquisition. The companies have inked a $90-million joint venture agreement that includes full transfer of technology (ToT) to JSW, enabling large-scale local manufacturing, assembly, and testing of the V-BAT system in India. As part of the JV, JSW Group will invest $90 million over two years, $65 million of which will be deployed in the first 12 months. This will cover the establishment of a global compliance programme, set up manufacturing facilities, and train local manpower to handle the licensed tech. The plan is not just to meet Indian defence requirements but to make the country a global production hub for the V-BAT, which is already deployed by several international forces including the United States Marine Expeditionary Units. Live Events The V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone with fixed wings and long endurance capabilities. Designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, it's built for tactical deployments in challenging environments, from special forces operations to front-line support for infantry, armoured, and artillery units. Its patented ducted design allows for a minimal logistics footprint and quick, flexible deployment. If finalised, the deal would mark a significant shift in India's approach to defence acquisitions, moving from outright purchase to co-development and localised production of advanced weapon systems.
Malaysian Reserve
09-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Shield AI V-BAT Selected by Netherlands Ministry of Defence to Equip Navy and Marine Corps
DEN HELDER, Netherlands, July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and defense aircraft, today announced that the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has procured eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps. The deal was publicly announced at the Maritime Uncrewed event hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder, where officials highlighted the V-BAT acquisition as part of a broader effort to modernize the force. The decision to procure V-BAT reflects a decisive and focused push to field battle-proven, autonomy-enabled systems capable of operating in contested environments and without reliance on GNSS for navigation or mission execution. 'V-BAT's small logistical footprint, ease of use and the possibility to deploy from a wide range of vessels make it well-suited for our operational needs,' said a spokesperson for the Netherlands Royal Navy. 'We're integrating this system to strengthen our naval ISR capabilities and ensure continued interoperability with NATO forces.' This Navy's decision was informed in part by V-BAT's demonstrated success in Ukraine – where the platform is executing long-range, long-endurance ISR and targeting with complete independence from GNSS. V-BAT also conducted a successful month-long flight trial during NATO's REPMUS 2024 exercise, where V-BAT conducted maritime ISR operations aboard the HNLMS Johan de Witt. That event helped validate the system's shipboard performance and informed the Dutch Ministry's decision-making process. 'V-BAT was built for the types of missions the Dutch Navy and Marine Corps are preparing for—dynamic, distributed, and high-stakes,' said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's President and Co-founder. 'It's operational today, proven in the most demanding combat environments, and delivers mission-critical capabilities unmatched by any other system. The Netherlands has a strong reputation for fielding cutting-edge capabilities quickly and effectively, and it's great to see them join a growing list of U.S. allies and partners choosing V-BAT for its flexibility, performance, and mission readiness.' The V-BAT is the only single-engine ducted-fan vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operationally deployed across multiple regions worldwide. Its compact footprint and ability to launch and recover in confined spaces make it ideal for shipborne and austere environments, ensuring flexibility and resilience in complex missions. V-BAT has earned its reputation for reliability, operating with impunity in GPS-denied and comms-contested environments. Its proven performance in regions like Ukraine, the Black Sea, and the Indo-Pacific demonstrates its ability to withstand advanced electronic warfare threats that have grounded many traditional drones. 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 systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI's technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram. Media Contact: Lily Hinz; media@
Axios
18-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Northrop launches "Beacon" autonomy partnership using Model 437 aircraft
Northrop Grumman is collaborating with at least four other companies to more-quickly test and deliver autonomy under a previously undisclosed initiative dubbed Beacon. Why it matters: " There are a lot of new companies, particularly in the AI space and the autonomy space, that are out there doing a lot of very interesting things," Tom Jones, the president of Northrop's aeronautics systems sector, told Axios at the Paris Air Show. "There's been this idea that with some of these small companies — these new entrants — it's 'us versus them.' It's an 'either or,'" he added. "I don't think it is." State of play: The Beacon test bed involves digital environments and real-world trials using a modified Model 437 Vanguard aircraft made by Northrop subsidiary Scaled Composites. Flights are expected this year. Beacon was realized using internal research-and-development money. The intrigue: Shield AI, maker of the V-BAT drone and Hivemind autonomy software, is among the initial round of partners. Three other memorandums of agreement have been signed. A few more are in the pipeline. "We know them. We can work well together. We know what their product does," Jones said. "We're able to very rapidly show customers: Here's what this capability can bring." Zoom out: Unmanned technologies and other smart machinery are in high demand around the world. The U.S. Air Force wants robo-wingmen flying alongside its F-35s and -47s. The Navy, meanwhile, wants its warships flanked by drone boats toting jammers, interceptors and communication relays. The bottom line: "We want to dispel this idea that big companies can't move fast, can't be innovative," Jones said.
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
38. Shield AI
Founders: Ryan Tseng, Brandon Tseng, Andrew ReiterCEO: Gary SteeleLaunched: 2015Headquarters: San Diego, CaliforniaFunding: $1.2 billionValuation: $5.3 billionKey Technologies: Artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, edge computing, machine learning, roboticsIndustry: DefensePrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 0 Shield AI could change the way warfare is conducted by enabling autonomous AI systems to fly drones and aircraft. Shield AI's core technology, called Hivemind, is an AI pilot software. Shield AI has deployed it in drones, including the V-BAT, which has been used in the Russia-Ukraine war, and Nova quadcopters. Hivemind has also been tested in fighter jets. The key advantage of such systems is that they can operate in areas where there is no communication or GPS, including on the battlefield. In Ukraine, for instance, the V-BAT has been used for long-range missions like targeting Russian surface-to-air missiles. "Hivemind is an homage to one of my favorite video games – StarCraft. It's a sci-fi real-time strategy game. Hivemind is self-driving technology for aircraft," Shield AI co-founder Brandon Tseng said in an interview with The War Zone. Pilotless fighter planes no longer seem a pipedream. But in the near future, Shield AI is most likely to establish a sales pipeline among defense companies that require battlefield or advanced intelligence and reconnaissance. Drones are especially good at that. A former Navy Seal, Tseng founded Shield AI with his brother, Ryan, an entrepreneur. Autonomy expert Andrew Reiter joined as co-founder. In May 2025, Shield AI named a new CEO, tech entrepreneur Gary Steele, who had formerly led analytics company Splunk before selling it to Cisco. Steele has experience in enterprise sales and partnerships. Shield is one of several companies bringing AI and autonomy into warfare to make the 2025 Disruptor 50 list, including the much larger company Anduril, this year's No. 1 Disruptor. Shield AI is backed by a16z, Riot Ventures and the US Innovative Technology Fund. AI technology in warfare raises concerns among ethicists, who question whether the decisions to use lethal force should be made in contexts where humans cannot intervene. Shield AI has responded by pointing out that recent advances in autonomous warfare are part of a continuum that began with unguided bombs. "Wishing these algorithmic capabilities away in the name of ensuring more human control is akin to removing the laser guidance kit from a Hellfire missile and demanding that the pilot provide all the aiming – the operator's toolkit is just poorer, and civilians are likely to pay the price," the company wrote in a blog post. Shield AI has established a recent trio of important partnerships and expanded its global presence. In December, it partnered with defense giant Palantir Technologies to integrate its Hivemind system with Palantir's operating system, which in turn enables other defense contractors to produce arms, faster. Last November, Shield AI partnered with Indian conglomerate JSW Group to establish a facility in India for V-BAT manufacturing. And last May, Shield AI expanded into Australia through its acquisition of Sentient Vision Systems, opening a new office in Melbourne.
Axios
09-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Defense firms unveil new weapons at Sea-Air-Space naval conference
Some of the world's most influential weapons makers brought their wares to National Harbor, Maryland, this week for the Sea-Air-Space convention. Some even unveiled new products. Why it matters: Defense conferences are a bellwether for U.S. strategy and industry plasticity. This one, hosted by Navy League, is no different. Here's just a sample of what was announced, offered and on display: Copperhead-100, -500 and the explosive -M variant, torpedo-like unmanned underwater vehicles made by Anduril Industries. The company's Dive-XL can carry "dozens of Copperhead-100Ms or multiple Copperhead-500Ms," according to an announcement. Bullseye, a missile reminiscent of Ice Breaker, that will be produced by General Atomics and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. They will be pumped out in Tupelo, Mississippi, according to the companies. Delivery is expected in the backend of this year. Bofors 40 Mk4, a naval gun capable of firing 300 rounds per minute and taking out aircraft and boats. It was the first time it made an appearance in the U.S., according to BAE Systems. Colombia bought one in March; the Netherlands and Belgium committed to eight last year. Leonidas H20, the latest version of Epirus' electronics-frying microwave weapon. The H20 is meant to counter aerial drones and unmanned surface vessels. It was successfully trialed at the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise-Coastal Trident. Wombat, a sensor-jammer combo made by BlueHalo using internal research dollars. The prototype was spurred by the U.S. Navy's persistent elevated sensor needs, chief technology officer Vikram Manikonda told Axios. An upgraded V-BAT that manufacturer Shield AI said vertically launches and lands unassisted, flies for more than 13 hours and consumes JP-5, a common maritime aviation fuel. V-BAT is the first-ever shipboard drone used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, as Axios exclusively reported earlier this year. A combo of Saildrone's Surveyor and Thales Australia's BlueSentry towed array, meant to autonomously hunt submarines and monitor subsea conditions.
