#United States #Washington, D.C. #Shield AI #Hivemind #Collaborative Combat

Shield AI Selected as Mission Autonomy Provider for U.S. Air Force

In a significant development for modern warfare and defense technology, Shield AI, a leading deep-tech firm specializing in autonomy software and aircraft, has been selected as the mission autonomy provider for the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program. This selection marks a pivotal moment in the integration of advanced technology into military operations.

The Technology Behind the Selection

After a rigorous evaluation process, the U.S. Air Force decided on Shield AI to aid in its technology maturity and risk reduction efforts for the CCA program. Shield AI’s autonomy software, known as Hivemind, has already been integrated into Anduril's Fury (YFQ-44A) aircraft, and is set to play a crucial role in upcoming flight demonstrations. This partnership signals a shift, as this is the first occasion that the mission autonomy software has been distinctly separated from the aircraft systems themselves.

Innovations in Air Combat

Gary Steele, the CEO of Shield AI, expressed pride in achieving this milestone and highlighted the urgency with which the Air Force aims to revolutionize air combat through autonomy. He remarked, “The Air Force is moving with urgency to explore how autonomy can reshape air combat.”

The Hivemind software acts as a virtual pilot or operator for unmanned defense systems. Its capabilities transcend those of typical autopilot systems; it intelligently assesses situations, makes decisions, navigates around no-fly zones, maneuvers around obstacles, and adapts to unexpected scenarios, all without the need for human intervention. This represents a significant leap forward in the capability of defense technology to carry out complex missions while ensuring safety and efficiency.

Challenges and Commitment to Excellence

Developing mission autonomy that operates effectively in the real-world combat scenario is a challenging feat, but Shield AI has dedicated over a decade to refining Hivemind, fortifying its technical and operational framework. Christian Gutierrez, Vice President of Hivemind Solutions, emphasized, “Our team brings proven experience fielding mission-critical autonomy on complex weapon systems… We value the opportunity to work with the U.S. Air Force on the future of mission autonomy.”

Hivemind is compliant with the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) and has demonstrated its capabilities across multiple government and industry evaluations, including significant work with various military aircraft and systems. This widens its applicability and fosters confidence in its performance across different platforms.

The Road Ahead

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is committed to deploying intelligent systems that protect both service members and civilians. With operations spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific, their innovations are paving the way for new methods of warfare, focusing on safer and more efficient combat strategies. As preparations for the flight demonstrations continue, the collaboration between Shield AI and the U.S. Air Force is expected to catalyze a profound transformation in how air combat is conducted. The future is poised to witness the integration of advanced autonomy into the very fabric of military operations, and Shield AI is at the forefront of this technological evolution.

For more information about Shield AI and its technology, visit www.shield.ai. Follow them on social media platforms like LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest updates.