V-BAT

The Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Originally developed by Martin UAV (now Shield AI), the V-BAT underwent prototyping and development under a 2021 United States Navy contract. In March 2023, the U.S. Army selected the V-BAT to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Increment 2 competition to replace the RQ-7B Shadow, partnering Shield AI with Northrop Grumman. For manufacturing, Shield AI partnered with Palantir Technologies in December 2024 to deploy Palantir's Warp Speed platform. Production also occurs in India via a November 2024 joint venture with JSW Defense and Aerospace, with construction on a manufacturing facility near Hyderabad beginning in December 2025.

Design

The V-BAT features a single heavy fuel engine (JP5) driving a ducted fan, allowing vertical takeoff and landing in confined spaces and transition to horizontal flight. The UAV has a length of 12.5 feet (3.8 m), a wingspan of 9.6 feet (2.9 m), and a gross weight of 161 pounds (73 kg). It has a maximum speed of 56 mph (90 km/h), an endurance of over 13 hours, and a service ceiling of 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Avionics include electro-optical (EO) and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras. For flight control, the system utilizes Shield AI's Hivemind autonomous software, which enables visual odometry navigation in GPS- and communication-denied environments and multi-vehicle drone-swarming coordination. Following an April 2024 accident that injured a U.S. Navy sailor, Shield AI modified the design so the V-BAT no longer requires human assistance during launch and recovery.

Operational History

Operationally, the V-BAT has deployed in the Black Sea, Caribbean, and Middle East, including use in Ukraine where it has withstood electronic warfare attacks. U.S. military operations include deployments with Marine expeditionary units. On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT made the first unmanned cargo delivery to a U.S. Navy ship at sea, carrying a 22.5 kg payload over 200 nautical miles (370 km). In July 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded Shield AI a $198 million contract for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services. Export and international customers include Brazil (VSK Tactical), Japan (selected for JMSDF warships), the Netherlands (12 systems purchased in July 2025), Romania (one donated system in 2026 with plans to acquire eight more), and India (procured under emergency procurement in 2026). Other operators include Greece, Indonesia, Argentina, and Armenia. By June 2026, Reuters reported that 50 of 200 upgraded V-BATs operated by Shield AI had been destroyed in accidents.