San Diego-based Shield AI, which is attracting attention at the ongoing Show with its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and the newly introduced concept of V-BAT Teams, is working to make possible what is high on the wish list of militaries the world over – drones capable of performing reconnaissance missions independently of constant human oversight or satellite guidance.

“Modern drones, which are essentially controlled remotely rather than being fully autonomous, struggle in environments where opponents can jam signals, as seen in recent conflicts,” says Bob Harward, Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy at Shield AI, in an interview. “Our goal is to develop drones capable of performing reconnaissance missions independently of constant human oversight or satellite guidance.”

Shield AI’s technology and vision have some very prominent backers, including some major defence companies. In March last year, Northrop Grumman, teamed with Shield AI, was chosen by the U.S. Army to participate in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition to replace the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS). Boeing has signed a memorandum of understanding with the company to explore strategic collaboration in the areas of autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence on current and future defence programs. Shield AI has also been selected to receive funding for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s (OUSD(R&E)) pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT.)

A former Navy SEAL in United States Navy, Harward was a chief executive at Lockheed Martin before he joined the company. Shield AI, which demonstrated V-BAT teaming for the first time in 2023, intends to demonstrate the capability in the Middle East this year, he said.

What are your expectations from DIMDEX 2024? What are you showcasing at the event that the region hasn’t seen before?

At DIMDEX, we hope to have new and continuing conversations with military and government leaders in the region who are interested in learning what our V-BAT UAS and V-BAT Teams bring to the fight, and how they can integrate them into their force structures. We are showcasing that AI Pilots are operational today, redefining human operator roles and propelling us into a new era of military operations. Last year, we demonstrated V-BAT teaming for the first time, proving that intelligent, affordable mass is here! We look forward to demonstrating this capability in the region in 2024.

Tell us a bit more about AI Pilot? Can Hivemind software be used on any aircraft, military and commercial?

Hivemind is an AI pilot that enables teams of intelligent aircraft to operate and complete missions autonomously in high-threat environments, without the need for remote operators or GPS. Hivemind is an aircraft-agnostic autonomy stack similar to the self-driving technology found in cars. It has flown six aircraft, including quadcopters, the MQ-35A V-BAT, the F-16, and Kratos MQM-178 Firejet. Later this year, it will fly Kratos’ XQ-58 Valkyrie. Shield AI has accumulated more autonomous flight hours executing fighter jet manoeuvres, like dogfighting, than any company in the world. Hivemind can be integrated on commercial aircraft, but we are focused on defence applications.

Why did the company choose UAE for its international office? How important is the Middle East region for you?

We opened our international office here in Abu Dhabi about two years ago. It is a great location because it is centrally located. Just last week, the team was in India, Singapore, Australia all on the same day! UAE is at the forefront of innovation, so it made sense to establish our international office here. We have repeat customers in the Middle East region, so it is certainly an important region for our business.

In October last year, the company officially launched V-BAT Teams. Is it essentially a swarm of four V-BAT drones? When will it be operational? Do you intend to increase the number of drones that are part of a team?

Yes, V-BAT Teams now include four of the UAVs but we plan to double that capacity every year — to eight in 2024, then to 16, and so on. It will be operational in 2025.

What benefits do V-BAT Teams provide the warfighter? What are the main uses?

V-BAT Teams gives squads the combat power of a battalion. It gives battalions the combat power of a corps or a division. A single war fighter can now command teams of aircraft to execute commander’s intent Intelligence drives operations. V-BAT Teams unlocks intelligent, affordable mass that will overwhelm adversaries through superiority of numbers which will saturate area defence systems and will force them to waste guided-munition stockpiles and trade them for comparatively cheap aircraft.

In recent months, Shield AI has signed agreements with several major companies, including Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Kratos. Can you talk a bit about the projects and the status of the partnerships with the three companies?

I will talk about our work with Kratos, which has progressed at an impressive rate. In October of 2023, we signed an agreement with Kratos to bring AI pilots to their family of aircraft including the BQM-178 Firejet and XQ-58 Valkyrie. We’ve successfully integrated our AI pilot on the Firejet, and will be sharing exciting updates publicly soon. The Valkyrie is one of a very few number of uncrewed jet aircraft that are flying today, ramping in production, and are ready for AI pilot integration. Close integration and access with Kratos on the XQ-58 enables the productization of intelligent uncrewed jet aircraft on a timeline that I think is going to shock some people.

How confident are you about finding takers for Hivemind and V-BAT internationally? Is the company currently in discussions with international buyers for the use of its software or eVTOL?

We’re seeing widespread V-BAT adoption by partners around the globe because of its mission success, cost, and safety record. Allies understand that what we’re seeing in Ukraine, the Black Sea, and recent events in the Red Sea require a change in their maritime capabilities. Organic V-BAT Teams for ISR and targeting on every US and allied ship in the world is the goal. We are in discussions and have closed deals with international customers, and while I can’t go into much detail here, I will say we have a lot of news to share on this front this year.

Do you foresee fully autonomous weapon systems dominating future battlefields?

Many people default to dramatic, Hollywood-style imaginings when thinking about technology, but that’s not the reality. Technology incorporates built-in safeguards. The challenge lies in developing these capabilities; activating them is comparatively straightforward. Our primary focus is on enhancing our systems’ ability to identify threats through advanced self-driving technology. We cater to our clients’ requirements, who have yet to prioritize the final step in the kill chain. It’s widely acknowledged that the capability exists, but the emphasis is on developing the system itself. As a Navy SEAL, I would offer this analogy: Pulling the trigger is easy; the difficulty is in the extensive training required to make informed, ethical decisions quickly.

We address both aspects. While many haven’t developed algorithms to identify simple objects like doors and windows, we’ve tackled these challenges to enhance our systems’ operational capabilities. Meanwhile, military applications have focused on recognizing weapons and similar threats. Our technology then decides how to manoeuvre based on these inputs, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to situational awareness and response.

What is the company’s view on the growing concern over the use of fully autonomous weapons? Do you think handing over total control to AI-powered systems is safe?

Firstly, our priority at Shield AI is to enhance the resilience of unmanned aircraft, particularly against communication and GPS disruption, rather than focusing on automating lethal capabilities. Modern drones, which are essentially controlled remotely rather than being fully autonomous, struggle in environments where opponents can jam signals, as seen in recent conflicts. Our goal is to develop drones capable of performing reconnaissance missions independently of constant human oversight or satellite guidance.

Secondly, the ethical deployment of AI in defense is paramount. The evolution of autonomous weapon systems, such as the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile developed in the 1980s, underscores the inevitability of weaponized AI. Recognizing this, the DoD has established robust ethical guidelines, including AI Ethical Principles and DoD Instruction 3000.09, emphasizing the importance of human oversight, understandable interfaces, and stringent testing of autonomous systems. These measures ensure that autonomous weapons adhere to the laws of war, emphasizing discrimination between combatants and non-combatants and proportionality in the use of force. These foundational principles, reinforced through military training and rules of engagement, ensure the ethical application of autonomous technologies in warfare.