Shield AI Expands Series F Funding to $500M for AI Pilot Deployment on Aircraft

Shield AI, which specializes in creating advanced AI systems for aircraft, has recently bolstered its Series F funding to a striking $500 million. The company received an additional infusion of $100 million in equity at existing Series F valuations, complemented by $200 million in debt financing from Hercules Capital. This comes on top of the $200 million in equity the company initially secured in November.

This new influx of capital is poised to accelerate the adoption of AI pilots across diverse aircraft designs.

Future of Aviation and AI Pilots

Defense and financial backers alike recognize the transformative effect that AI pilots may present to national security and international stability. In current conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine War, AI-driven systems are critical in addressing the challenges posed by electronic warfare. By leveraging AI pilots, military operations can deploy waves of economical aircraft, engaging in tasks that normally require costlier, sophisticated machinery.

According to Ryan Tseng, CEO and Co-founder of Shield AI, the software-defined nature of these AI pilots marks a significant shift in the aerospace and defense landscape, equating their strategic role to that of aircraft carriers and guided missile submarines.

Shield AI's Hivemind and V-BAT Teams

At the helm of Shield AI's product line is Hivemind, an AI pilot solution enabling intelligent aircraft fleets to autonomously execute missions in treacherous conditions, all without GPS or remote control guidance. Comparable to autonomous driving technologies found in vehicles, Hivemind has showcased its versatility by flying various aircraft types, such as quadcopters and the F-16 jet. Shield AI also introduced V-BAT Teams, a groundbreaking software that facilitates autonomous mission execution by groups of V-BAT drones, mimicking the collaborative instincts of human pilot teams.

About Shield AI

Focused on crafting intelligent systems to safeguard military personnel and civilians, venture-backed Shield AI has been active since 2015. The company's offices span across major cities in the U.S. and internationally, with their AI technology currently in use by the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations.

ShieldAI, SeriesF, AIpilot