Shield AI receives $198 million contract to produce V-Bat ISR drones for US Coast Guards

News, US July 5, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Shield AI, a U.S.-based defense technology company, has announced that it secured a substantial contract from the U.S. Coast Guard, valued at $198 million, to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) enabled V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems.

A statement released by the President, and Co-founder of Shield AI, Brandon Tseng, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. Tseng, a former U.S. Navy SEAL said, “We’re excited to support the U.S. Coast Guard with their ISR operations.”

“All maritime vessels will become drone carriers as maritime forces move to deploy distributed, affordable, intelligent drones” Tseng added, highlighting the strategic shift towards utilizing cost-effective drone technology over traditional crewed or uncrewed aircraft for mission execution.

Shield AI’s V-BAT

The V-BAT done series, developed by Shield AI, stands out as the only operational single-engine ducted fan vertical takeoff and land (VTOL) capable aircraft. V-BAT can seamlessly transition from hover to horizontal flight midcourse providing high speed and maneuverability to the drone.

Measuring 9 feet in length and a wingspan of 9.7 feet, the V-BAT weighs around 56 kilograms. It is powered by a single Suter TOA 288 two-cylinder engine. The drone’s operational parameters include a maximum speed of 56 mph and an impressive endurance of up to 10 hours, with a service ceiling reaching heights of 20,000 feet.

V-BAT Specs

Shield AI’s V-BAT is considered the most tactical and logistically simple UAS in the world. V-BAT is fully deployable by a 2-person team and packs up to fit in the back of a pickup truck or UH-60 Blackhawk.

Wing Span: 9.7 feet
Length: 9 feet
Weight: 125 lbs. (fuel + payload)
Endurance: Around 10 hours
Landing Zone: 12ft x 12 ft
Payload Capacity: 25 lbs.
Hover-To-Flight Transition: < 15 seconds
Service Ceiling: 20,000 ft mean sea level (MSL)

V-BAT AI pilot drone — ^{U.S. contractors are preparing to launch V-BAT 118 for the first flight onboard guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Alexander)}

The latest contract highlights a growing trend of incorporating cutting-edge drone technologies into military and security initiatives. Utilizing the advanced capabilities of the V-BAT, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to bolster its ability to conduct maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. This initiative is expected to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of monitoring activities across coastal and open sea environments.

“The V-BAT’s selection by the U.S. Coast Guard is indicative of a broader marker movement where increasingly customers are recognizing they can accomplish the vast majority of their mission sets with affordable drones rather than exquisite, expensive crewed or uncrewed aircraft,” Tseng added.

As Shield AI prepares to execute this multi-million-dollar contract with the U.S. Coast Guard, industry analysts anticipate continued growth in the unmanned aerial systems sector. The deployment of advanced drones like the V-BAT underscores a shift towards scalable and cost-efficient ISR solutions, reflecting a strategic move towards modernizing defense capabilities while optimizing resource allocation.

Established in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology firm dedicated to safeguarding service members and civilians through advanced systems. Central to its mission is the development of cutting-edge AI technologies, including its flagship AI pilot known as Hivemind.

Hivemind has demonstrated its capabilities by piloting various aircraft, including jets like the F-16 and MQM-178 Firejet, a vertical takeoff and landing drone such as the MQ-35 V-BAT, and three different quadcopters named Nova, Nova 2, and iPRD.