At the Paris Air Show, defense technology startup Shield AI revealed a teaser video for its “next-gen aircraft” on Tuesday, sparking interest in the defense industry. According to Gary Steele, the company’s new CEO, the new drone is a completely new design rather than an upgrade to their existing V-Bat system.
“September’s our official launch time frame,” Steele revealed during a Wednesday interview at Le Bourget. “We wanted to give people just a taste of the fact that we are building next-generation aircraft. We obviously believe in autonomy, so you can assume that it’s a next-generation autonomous aircraft.”
Shield AI, originally a software company, entered the drone hardware business after acquiring Martin UAV and their V-Bat system. Steele emphasized that the company’s focus remains on developing autonomy software, despite venturing into hardware. “We’re going to be very thoughtful about any moves into physical kit,” he assured.
The new CEO addressed safety concerns regarding the V-Bat system reported earlier this year. “I think the company’s done a really good job in focusing on the things that matter from a safety perspective, a compliance perspective,” Steele said, expressing confidence that these issues have been resolved.
Steele became Shield AI’s CEO in March, bringing outside experience to the company founded by brothers Ryan and Brendon Tseng, who remain as co-presidents. His primary goals include scaling the company and achieving maturity in various aspects of the business.
“It’s growing the company in a way that just, like — what does a mature company look like, and how do you put the foundation in place to get there?” Steele explained when asked about his objectives. He highlighted the need for international expansion, citing significant global demand for their products.
As Shield AI prepares to launch its new drone, the company is positioning itself for substantial growth in the global defense technology market. The development marks a significant step in the company’s evolution from a software-focused firm to a major player in both autonomous systems software and hardware.
