Shield AI Concludes Successful V-BAT Missions Supporting Border Security in Europe

In a significant achievement, Shield AI, a trailblazer in advanced technology, has officially announced the completion of its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) missions in Europe. The operations, which began in early June, were conducted under a contract with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in collaboration with Global Sat Tech. The V-BAT has played an essential role in reinforcing border management solutions across thousands of kilometers of land and maritime borders, thus contributing to enhanced national security and emergency response initiatives.

Among the notable engagements, the V-BAT was actively deployed in late July for its second wildfire response mission, aiding in efforts to combat a rapidly spreading fire in eastern Bulgaria. The UAS demonstrated its capabilities by detecting the blaze from a distance of 30 kilometers and quickly mobilizing to assist local emergency services.

According to Brandon Tseng, Co-founder and President of Shield AI, "Since early June, we have been actively conducting V-BAT missions with Frontex throughout the EU. The results speak for themselves. In the last 60 days of operations, there has been a marked decrease in both irregular border crossings and criminal activities. Local authorities have directly attributed these outcomes to V-BAT."

During its wildfire response deployment, V-BAT provided real-time monitoring of the fire's movement, pinpointing critical areas and mapping the locations of firefighting personnel. This allowed helicopter crews to execute water drops more efficiently, significantly minimizing the time spent searching for targets.

A highlight of the mission was the successful resolution of airspace conflicts between V-BAT and manned aircraft solely based on altitude separation, showcasing the high level of trust Bulgarian authorities have in the reliability of the platform and its mature integration into complex aerial operations.

Nikolay Kerin, CEO of Global Sat Tech, remarked, "This project illustrates how innovation and collaboration can directly bolster Europe's border security. By merging advanced aerial surveillance with real operational needs, we have contributed to providing a flexible and intelligence-driven solution that supports member states and fosters public confidence in how Europe safeguards its borders."

V-BAT, a single-engine, ducted fan vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS, is uniquely capable of autonomous takeoff and landing. It is trusted by U.S. and international forces and is versatile enough to undertake a wide range of missions, spanning from Groups 1 to 5 and beyond, even in contested electronic warfare environments.

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology enterprise focused on safeguarding both service members and civilians through intelligent systems. Its product portfolio includes the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and Hivemind Vision product lines. With a global presence in San Diego, Dallas, Washington D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi, Kiev, and Melbourne, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations not only for the U.S. but also for its allies worldwide.

To learn more about Shield AI, visit www.shield.ai and follow them on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Instagram.