Shield AI Upgrades V-BAT Drone with Extended Flight Range

Shield AI has introduced an upgraded version of its V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicle system.

The company stated it’s offering enhanced reconnaissance capabilities for customers in the United States and its allied nations.

This UAV is designed to tackle complex operational tasks such as threat detection and targeting in environments without GPS or communications, border protection, and maritime surveillance.

The updated V-BAT now features a heavy-fuel engine, increasing its flight duration to over 13 hours.

The drone can be deployed on almost any class of US Navy ships across all seven naval expeditionary units.

The V-BAT still does not require a runway or catapult for launch, and its design allows it to land on moving vessels, rooftops, or confined spaces—even in high winds and rough seas.

In addition, the upgraded V-BAT can now perform vertical takeoff and landing fully autonomously without operator assistance.

The integration of SATCOM satellite communications allows operators to control the drone globally, using a Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) command-and-control (C2) system.

The drone can also integrate various payloads, including passive broadband motion imaging with ViDAR support, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.

“The most forward-thinking militaries are swapping out their larger, more expensive ISR aircraft—which are too vulnerable for how much they cost — and accomplishing the same missions with smaller, more affordable drones, like V-BAT,” Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s President and Co-founder, shared.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces actively use this drone. In February, it was reported that Shield AI is seeking partnerships with Ukrainian manufacturers of laser-guided munitions to equip its V-BAT drones.

In addition to a permanent office in Kyiv, the company has opened a research and development center and is training drone operators.