Shield AI
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
Defense technology company developing AI-powered autonomy software (Hivemind) and autonomous aircraft systems that enable unmanned platforms to operate independently in GPS- and communications-denied environments. Shield AI was founded in 2015. The company is led by Gary Steele. Based in San Diego, USA. Team size: 1000-1500. Total funding raised: $3.2B+. Latest round: Series G. Key investors include Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, U.S. Innovative Technology Fund (Thomas Tull), Point72 Ventures, Snowpoint Ventures, Riot Ventures, L3Harris Technologies, Hanwha Aerospace, Advent International, JPMorgan Chase Strategic Investment Group, Blackstone.
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- San Diego, USA
- Team size
- 1000-1500
- Total funding
- $3.2B+
Value proposition
Enables unmanned systems to execute complex autonomous missions in GPS-denied and communications-contested environments where human operators cannot function, providing tactical superiority in electronic warfare scenarios while reducing risk to service members
Products and solutions
Hivemind Enterprise - EdgeOS (middleware framework), Hivemind Enterprise - Pilot (autonomy reference architecture), Hivemind Enterprise - Commander (human-machine interface systems), Hivemind Enterprise - Forge (development and testing tools), V-BAT MQ-35 - VTOL unmanned aircraft system, X-BAT - Extended-range aircraft platform, Nova 2 - Autonomous quadcopter for indoor operations, ViDAR - Wide-area motion imaging and tracking, Sentient Vision Systems - ISR sensing technologies
Unique value
First AI pilot system deployed in combat (2018 Nova deployment with special operations forces); Hivemind autonomy software enables fully autonomous operation without GPS, communications, or remote piloting; has beaten human F-16 pilots in dogfighting simulations; demonstrated rapid 2-3 month integration on multiple aircraft platforms including Airbus DT25, Destinus Hornet, and Northrop Grumman Talon IQ
Target customer
U.S. Department of Defense, allied military forces, defense prime contractors (Boeing, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, General Atomics), international defense organizations
Industries served
Defense and Military, Aerospace and Aviation, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, Unmanned Systems, Electronic Warfare
Technology advantage
Platform-agnostic modular architecture compliant with Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) standards; processes sensor data in real-time to make tactical decisions; enables multi-platform swarming with read-and-react capabilities; provides sovereign development allowing customers to retain full IP rights to their autonomy solutions; proven in electronic warfare environments
How they differentiate
First AI pilot system deployed in combat (2018); Hivemind autonomy software enables fully autonomous operation in GPS-denied and communications-contested environments without remote piloting; Platform-agnostic modular architecture compliant with Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) standards; Rapid 2-3 month integration on multiple aircraft platforms; Has beaten human F-16 pilots in dogfighting simulations
Main competitors
Anduril Industries, Skydio, AeroVironment
Key partnerships
U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program - Awarded production contract for Hivemind mission autonomy (June 17, 2026), one of six vendors selected, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps - Operational deployments, Indian Army - V-BAT and Hivemind systems contract, Boeing - Strategic collaboration MOU for autonomous capabilities, Northrop Grumman - Talon IQ integration, FTUAS competition teaming, L3Harris - Strategic investor, DiSCO electronic warfare integration, General Atomics - MQ-20 Avenger integration, Airbus - H145 helicopter and DT25 drone integration, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Hivemind Enterprise collaboration, Korea Aerospace Industries - Hivemind Enterprise partnership, Booz Allen Hamilton - Enterprise autonomy platform deployment, Destinus - Hornet UAS integration (2-month integration)
Notable customers
U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force (Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program), U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard ($198M contract), U.S. Special Operations Command, Indian Army, Romanian Navy, Hellenic Army (Greece), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Boeing
Major milestones
First AI pilot deployed in combat operations (2018), Selected as mission autonomy provider for U.S. Air Force CCA program (Feb 2026), Awarded U.S. Air Force production contract for Hivemind mission autonomy under CCA program (June 17, 2026), one of six vendors selected, Reached $267M ARR in 2024 with 64% YoY growth; projecting 80%+ growth and $540M+ revenue in 2026, U.S. Coast Guard awarded $198M contract for V-BAT maritime services (2024), Valuation increased from $5.3B to $12.7B in one year (140% growth) via $2B Series G/preferred equity raise (March 2026), Integrated Hivemind on multiple platforms: Kratos BQM-177A, Airbus H145, General Atomics MQ-20, International expansion with contracts in Romania, Japan, Greece, Canada, Netherlands; opening new office in Athens, Greece (June 2026), Completed acquisition of Aechelon Technology (June 22, 2026) and DDR software assets from Crowdbotics (2025), Selected by Pentagon for low-cost drone program amid rising demand for inexpensive drones (May 19, 2026)
Growth metrics
$267M ARR in 2024 (64% YoY growth); 1,000-1,500 employees; Over half of 2025 business from international contracts
Market positioning
Second most valuable defense tech startup in the US after Anduril ($12.7B valuation vs Anduril's $14-60B depending on source); Positioned as leading provider of AI autonomy software for military aviation; Selected as mission autonomy provider for U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program
Geographic focus
United States (primary), expanding to NATO allies (Romania, Greece, Netherlands), Japan, Canada, India, and allied nations in Europe and Asia-Pacific
Patents and IP
Proprietary algorithms and intellectual property in autonomy software (core reference implementation IP); acquired Data Driven Readiness (DDR) software assets from Crowdbotics (April 2025); acquired Aechelon Technology (simulation/synthetic-reality company) — deal announced March 2026, acquisition completed June 22, 2026 — for synthetic training data to improve Hivemind across new aircraft types
About Gary Steele
Gary Steele is a veteran technology executive with over 30 years of experience scaling global technology enterprises. Prior to being appointed CEO of Shield AI in May 2025, he served as the President of Go-to-Market at Cisco following its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk, where he was the CEO from 2022 to 2024. He was the founding CEO of Proofpoint (2002-2021), which he led from its early stages through a successful IPO to a $12 billion valuation. His earlier career includes leadership roles at Sybase, Sun Microsystems, and Hewlett-Packard.
Latest news about Shield AI
- Shield AI grapples with persistent technical issues and safety concerns in military drone development
- Shield AI secured $2 billion in Series G funding, pushing its valuation to $12.7 billion—more than double last year’s $5.3 billion. The capital will accelerate Hivemind, its AI‑powered autonomy platfo
- Shield AI closed a $725M round, pushing its valuation to $8 billion. The infusion will accelerate Hivemind Enterprise and expand autonomous drone software for the Pentagon’s growing AI‑driven operatio
- Shield AI secured $2 billion in a Series G round, pushing its valuation to $12.7 billion—more than double last year. $1.5 billion of equity led by Advent International and JPMorgan, plus $500 million
- Shield AI just closed a $2 billion Series G round, valuing the company at $12.7 billion – more than double its valuation a year ago and landing it at #5 in overall funding rankings. The cash will fuel
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Official website: https://shield.ai