Shield AI MQ-35 V-BAT

V-BAT (MQ-35A)

V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall in May 2023
Role	Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Shield AI
Status	In service
Primary user	United States Navy

Design and capabilities

The V-BAT's single-engine ducted fan enables it to take off and land vertically in confined spaces and to shift from hover to horizontal flight. Its autonomy software, including Shield AI’s Hivemind, allows it to operate in GPS- and communications-denied environments. Its compact design and ability to hover make it suitable for shipboard operations and confined land areas.^[3]

In October 2023, Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had achieved drone-swarming capabilities, using Hivemind AI to enable multi-vehicle coordination and distributed autonomous operations.^[4]^[5]

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Service history

Summarize

Perspective

United States

In 2021, the United States Navy gave Shield AI a contract to prototype and develop the V-BAT.^[6]^[7] On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT and a Skyways V2.6B UAV made the first unmanned cargo deliveries to a U.S. Navy ship at sea. Each UAV carried a cargo of 22.5 kg for 200 nm (370 km).^[8]

In March 2023, the United States Army picked the V-BAT to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Shield AI teamed with Northrop Grumman for the competition.^[9]

In July 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded Shield AI a $198 million contract to provide maritime unmanned aircraft system services with the V-BAT. This marked one of the largest contractor-owned, contractor-operated UAV deployments for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).^[10]

V-BAT has deployed with Marine expeditionary units.^[11]^[12]

In December 2024, Shield and Palantir Technologies announced the deepening of their strategic partnership and deployment of Palantir's Warp Speed for V-BAT manufacturing.^[13]

Brazil

In February 2022, Brazilian company VSK Tactical ordered an undisclosed number of V-BATs for security and monitoring roles.^[14]

India

In November 2024, Shield AI agreed a joint venture with JSW Defense and Aerospace to make and test V-BAT drones in India. Under the deal, JSW is to invest $65 million within the year and a total of $90 million over two years to license technology, establish a "global compliance programme", build a factory, and train personnel.^[15]^[16]

In July 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence was in talks with Shield AI to buy V-BAT drones for the Indian Air Force. The initial contract will be worth $35 million, which is the upper limit for an emergency procurement contract.^[17]

Japan

In January 2025, the V-BAT was selected to operate from warships operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.^[18]

Netherlands

In July 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Defence bought eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to improve maritime ISR operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps.^[19]

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