Shield AI MQ-35 V-BAT

Last updated
V-BAT (MQ-35A)
V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall.jpg
V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall in May 2023
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Shield AI
StatusIn service
Primary user United States Navy

Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Martin UAV, now Shield AI.

Contents

The V-BAT has been operationally deployed in multiple regions, including the Black Sea, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. In Ukraine, V-BATs have withstood electronic warfare (EW) attacks that have downed other UAVs. [1] [2]

Design and capabilities

The V-BAT's single-engine ducted fan enables it to take off and land vertically in confined spaces and to shift from hover to horizontal flight. Its autonomy software, including Shield AI’s Hivemind, allows it to operate in GPS- and communications-denied environments. Its compact design and ability to hover make it suitable for shipboard operations and confined land areas. [3]

In October 2023, Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had achieved drone-swarming capabilities, using Hivemind AI to enable multi-vehicle coordination and distributed autonomous operations. [4] [5]

Service history

United States

In 2021, the United States Navy gave Shield AI a contract to prototype and develop the V-BAT. [6] [7] On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT and a Skyways V2.6B UAV made the first unmanned cargo deliveries to a U.S. Navy ship at sea. Each UAV carried a cargo of 22.5 kg for 200 nm (370 km). [8]

In March 2023, the United States Army picked the V-BAT to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Shield AI teamed with Northrop Grumman for the competition. [9]

In July 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded Shield AI a $198 million contract to provide maritime unmanned aircraft system services with the V-BAT. This marked one of the largest contractor-owned, contractor-operated UAV deployments for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). [10]

V-BAT has deployed with Marine expeditionary units. [11] [12]

In December 2024, Shield and Palantir Technologies announced the deepening of their strategic partnership and deployment of Palantir's Warp Speed for V-BAT manufacturing. [13]

Brazil

In February 2022, Brazilian company VSK Tactical ordered an undisclosed number of V-BATs for security and monitoring roles. [14]

India

In November 2024, Shield AI agreed a joint venture with JSW Defense and Aerospace to make and test V-BAT drones in India. Under the deal, JSW is to invest $65 million within the year and a total of $90 million over two years to license technology, establish a "global compliance programme", build a factory, and train personnel. [15] [16]

In July 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence was in talks with Shield AI to buy V-BAT drones for the Indian Air Force. The initial contract will be worth $35 million, which is the upper limit for an emergency procurement contract. [17]

Japan

In January 2025, the V-BAT was selected to operate from warships operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. [18]

Netherlands

In July 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Defence bought n initial twelve V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to improve maritime ISR operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps. [19]

Operators

Current operators

Potential operators

Accidents and incidents

In April 2025, a V-BAT partially severed three fingers of a U.S. Navy sailor who was helping it to land. US military customers imposed restrictions on flight while they investigated for several months. Shield AI changed the V-BAT so it no longer required human assistance to launch and land. [21]

Specifications

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics
electro-optical (EO)/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras

See also

References

  1. ↑ "US-made jam-resistant drones helped Ukrainians cut through Russia EW". Defense One. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "American Drone Startup Notches Rare Victory in Ukraine". The Wall Street Journal. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  3. ↑ "V-BAT 128 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), US". Airforce Technology. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  4. ↑ "Shield AI unveils V-BAT teams drone swarm tech with eye to replicator". Defense News. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Shield AI and Palantir Technologies Deepen Strategic Partnership and Announce Deployment of Warp Speed". Shield AI. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "US Navy selects Martin UAV's V-BAT for VTOL UAS prototyping effort". Naval Technology. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Martin UAV Kicks Off MTUAS Increment 2 Effort with Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division". UAS Weekly. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Ryan Finnerty (30 December 2022). "UAVs deliver cargo to US Navy ship at sea for first time". Flight Global. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  9. ↑ "US Army Selects Northrop Grumman, Teamed with Shield AI, for Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Prototype". Northrop Grumman Corporation. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Coast Guard awards contract to procure cutter-based unmanned aircraft system capability". U.S. Coast Guard. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "V-BAT Takes Flight with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Aboard USS Portland". Shield AI. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  12. ↑ "US military uses revolutionary V-Bat drone during exercises in Japan". Defence Blog. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "Palantir Teams Up With Shield AI on AI-Powered Autonomous Aircraft". Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "Brazil orders V-Bat | Shephard". 8 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Levina (2024-11-26). "Deployed to Israel America's MQ-35A V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Now Be Manufactured in India - RESONANT NEWS". RESONANT NEWS. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  16. ↑ Clark, Colin (2024-11-27). "US drone maker Shield AI moves into Indian defense market, joint venture with JSW Group". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  17. 1 2 "India set to build US-origin combat drones at home in rare tech transfer deal". The Economic Times. 2025-07-28. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  18. ↑ https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/shield-ais-v-bat-to-operate-from-japanese-warships/161488.article
  19. ↑ https://shield.ai/shield-ai-v-bat-selected-by-netherlands-ministry-of-defence-to-equip-navy-and-marine-corps/
  20. ↑ Nico Schinkelshoek (16 July 2025). "Sommige schepen over 10 jaar mogelijk zelfvarend". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
  21. ↑ "How A Grisly Injury Threw A $5 Billion Drone Startup Off Course". Forbes. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.

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