Shield – AI takes over Martin UAV

Shield – AI takes over Martin UAV

New York, Aug. 1, 2021

Self-driving military technology company Shield AI will acquire aerospace company Martin UAV, known for its V-BAT unmanned vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Shield AI applies autonomous vehicle technology to military aircraft. The acquisition will allow Shield AI to integrate its Hivemind autonomous combat software into the V-BAT to enhance its operations in harsh environments.

Martin UAV, a developer of unmanned aerial vehicles, serves the defense, government and commercial industries. The V-BAT takes off and lands like a SpaceX rocket and can remain stationary in the air. The integration of Hivemind into the V-BAT makes it the only Group 3 unmanned aerial vehicle built for „sustained operations in cordoned environments.“

Last week, Shield AI announced that it would acquire Heron Systems, a developer of autonomous AI agents, for an undisclosed sum. Shield could use Heron’s technology to advance the development of AI piloting technologies for fighter jets and drones.