Shield AI has announced the completion of more than 130 V-BAT sorties by its Kyiv, Ukraine-based operations team, enhancing frontline readiness ahead of the spring campaign.
These sorties, conducted in challenging electronic warfare environments, have supported both training and operational missions in collaboration with Ukraine’s Uncrewed Systems Forces (USF).
The USF, a military branch, employs various uncrewed systems for tasks ranging from protecting citizens to disrupting enemy forces.
Its multi-level strategy enables operations on the battlefield and targets enemy assets deep behind front lines.
Since establishing its Kyiv office, Shield AI has worked closely with the USF to expedite operator training and system integration.
The company has recruited Ukrainian military veterans and plans to send operators to Texas for enhanced training.
According to USF, V-BAT can operate without GPS or communications and has precise targeting capabilities.
Shield AI’s Ukraine managing director James Lythgoe said: “The war in Ukraine is the front line of modern warfare. For defence companies, legitimacy is no longer earned in labs, test ranges, or exercises. It is earned on the battlefield.
“Shield AI’s operational presence and focus on real-world problems have allowed us to build systems that perform where it matters most. V-BAT, powered by our Hivemind autonomy stack, remains the only long-endurance ISR and strike platform to penetrate both Ukrainian and Russian GPS and comms jammers. We’re proud to support the USF in this fight.”
The V-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing UAV, is equipped with Shield AI’s Hivemind software.
It is designed for runway independence, endurance, and precision targeting even in GPS- and communications-denied settings.
It has undertaken long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions.
In 2023, Northrop Grumman and Shield AI were chosen for the next phase of the US Army’s Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Programme.
