The Ukrainian Defense Forces have received new Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT drones.

Shield AI, the manufacturer of these drones, released a photo of this drone and the Ukrainian military.

This is one of the first images of the U.S.-supplied V-BAT UAV in service with Ukraine.

It is reported that V-BAT has already conducted its first autonomous reconnaissance mission on the Ukrainian front.

“In Ukraine, V-BAT drone has demonstrated resistance to electronic warfare, demonstrating autonomy in the most difficult conditions and performing the first successful reconnaissance mission,” the company said.

The V-BAT weighs 56.5 kg, up to 11 kg of which is the payload. It can stay in the air for up to 10 hours.

A powerful optoelectronic station provides the drone’s reconnaissance capabilities.

It is equipped with a sensitive MWIR thermal imaging sensor, and artificial intelligence is used to detect and recognize targets.

The Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT’s main feature is its vertical takeoff and landing on a 4×4-meter area.

In 2023, Shield AI announced that V-BAT was able to control a swarm of drones.

Already in 2024, Shield AI signed an agreement with JSW Defense and Aerospace to produce the MQ-35A V-BAT in India.

The US Navy has also been testing a promising reconnaissance drone, the V-Bat, for use from aircraft carriers. This device can be launched from the deck of almost any ship.