Shield AI Unveils ‘Next-Gen’ Autonomous Drone at Paris Air Show
Defense tech startup Shield AI is set to launch a new autonomous drone in September, teasing its capabilities at the Paris Air Show. The company’s new CEO, Gary Steele, revealed that the upcoming drone is a wholly new aircraft, not just an upgrade to their existing V-Bat system.
“We’re building next-generation aircraft,” Steele said during a Wednesday interview at Le Bourget. “You can assume it’s a next-generation autonomous aircraft.” Shield AI originally focused on software but entered the drone hardware business after acquiring Martin UAV and the V-Bat system.
Steele emphasized that the decision to launch a new drone doesn’t signal a shift in focus from software to hardware. “We’re going to be very thoughtful about any moves into physical kit,” he said. The company remains committed to developing autonomy software.
The new CEO addressed safety concerns about 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.
Steele, who became CEO in March, is the first outsider to lead the startup founded by brothers Ryan and Brendon Tseng. His goals include bringing ‘maturity’ and ‘scale’ to the company, primarily by expanding to meet market demands and establishing a strong international presence.
“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. The company has seen tremendous global demand and aims to grow as an international business.
One of Steele’s objectives is to bring a different level of maturity and focus as Shield AI grows at scale. This includes developing a robust foundation for future expansion and capitalizing on the global demand for their technology.
