Vertical takeoff and landing autonomous tactical drone using Shield AI's Hivemind AI pilot for GPS-denied autonomous navigation and reconnaissance.
V-BAT uses a tail-sitter configuration that allows vertical takeoff and landing from confined spaces while achieving efficient wing-borne flight at cruise altitude. Shield AI's Hivemind pilot enables it to navigate complex indoor and outdoor environments without GPS, using visual-inertial odometry and simultaneous localization and mapping. The platform has been deployed in classified ISR operations where its quiet electric propulsion and small form factor allow it to collect intelligence in environments where larger systems would be detected.
Deployed with US Navy, Marine Corps, and Special Operations; used in classified ISR operations
Shield AI is a private company with substantial venture funding. AeroVironment (AVAV) and Kratos (KTOS) are the most relevant publicly traded proxies for autonomous tactical UAV exposure.