The Shield AI V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) featuring a single-engine ducted fan design for versatile reconnaissance missions.
The Shield AI V-BAT is a versatile vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions. Its compact, tail-sitter design incorporates a single-engine ducted fan, enabling operations from confined spaces without the need for runways or launch equipment. The V-BAT can transition seamlessly between vertical take-off, hover, and horizontal flight modes. It is powered by a two-stroke piston engine driving a shrouded propeller, providing stability and safety during operations. Standard payloads include electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) cameras for real-time intelligence gathering. The UAV requires minimal personnel for deployment and can be operational within minutes, making it suitable for both land-based and maritime missions. Its design emphasizes ease of use, rapid deployment, and adaptability across various operational scenarios.
History of the Development of the Shield AI V-BAT
In the early 2010s, the increasing complexity of military operations highlighted the need for versatile UAVs capable of operating in diverse environments. Traditional UAVs often required extensive launch and recovery infrastructure, limiting their deployment flexibility. To address this gap, Martin UAV initiated the development of a compact, VTOL UAV that could operate from confined spaces, aiming to enhance tactical reconnaissance capabilities.
The development program, launched in the mid-2010s, focused on creating a UAV with a minimal logistical footprint, capable of vertical take-off and landing without the need for runways or catapults. The design team adopted a tail-sitter configuration with a single-engine ducted fan, allowing the aircraft to transition between vertical and horizontal flight seamlessly.
The V-BAT’s maiden flight took place in the late 2010s, demonstrating its VTOL capabilities and validating the tail-sitter design. The successful flight tests showcased the UAV’s potential for operations in confined and austere environments, attracting interest from various branches of the U.S. military.
In 2021, the U.S. Navy selected the V-BAT for prototyping and development, recognizing its suitability for shipboard operations and its potential to enhance maritime reconnaissance capabilities. This selection marked a significant milestone, positioning the V-BAT as a contender for future naval UAV programs.
In March 2023, the U.S. Army chose the V-BAT, offered by a team of Northrop Grumman and Shield AI, as a contender for its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS), aiming to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. This selection underscored the V-BAT’s versatility and its alignment with the Army’s objectives for a rapidly deployable, VTOL UAV with a reduced logistical footprint.
In May 2023, Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had received the official military designation MQ-35A, formalizing its status within the U.S. military’s UAV inventory. This designation reflected the UAV’s maturation and its readiness for operational deployment.
The V-BAT’s development was driven by the need for a UAV that could provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities without the constraints associated with traditional UAV launch and recovery methods. Its compact size, VTOL capability, and ease of deployment addressed the operational challenges faced by modern military forces, particularly in contested or infrastructure-limited environments.
The acquisition of Martin UAV by Shield AI in 2021 further enhanced the V-BAT’s development, integrating Shield AI’s expertise in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. This integration aimed to augment the V-BAT’s capabilities, enabling autonomous operations and advanced decision-making in complex environments.
As of 2025, the V-BAT continues to evolve, with ongoing enhancements to its sensor payloads, endurance, and autonomous capabilities. Its development reflects a response to the dynamic nature of modern warfare, emphasizing adaptability, rapid deployment, and operational flexibility.
Design of the Shield AI V-BAT
The Shield AI V-BAT features a distinctive tail-sitter design, enabling vertical take-off and landing without the need for runways or additional launch equipment. This configuration allows the UAV to operate from confined spaces, such as ship decks or urban environments, enhancing its deployment versatility.
The UAV measures approximately 9 feet (2.74 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 9.7 feet (2.95 meters). Its compact size facilitates ease of transport and rapid deployment by a minimal crew. The V-BAT’s airframe is constructed from lightweight composite materials, balancing durability with weight efficiency.
A key feature of the V-BAT is its single-engine ducted fan propulsion system. This design incorporates a shrouded propeller powered by a two-stroke piston engine, providing thrust for both vertical lift and horizontal flight. The ducted fan enhances safety by enclosing the rotating blades, reducing the risk to personnel during launch and recovery operations. Additionally, the shrouded design contributes to the UAV’s stability and control, particularly in hover mode.
The V-BAT is equipped with a modular payload bay, allowing for the integration of various sensor packages based on mission requirements. Standard payloads include electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) cameras, enabling day and night surveillance capabilities. The UAV’s open architecture supports the incorporation of additional sensors, such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or electronic warfare (EW) systems, providing adaptability for diverse mission profiles.
The UAV’s design emphasizes simplicity and efficiency. The tail-sitter configuration eliminates the need for complex landing gear, while its VTOL capability ensures operation in confined or remote areas. Its small footprint makes it ideal for deployment from ships, forward operating bases, or areas with minimal infrastructure.
The control systems include Shield AI’s Hivemind™ autonomous software, enabling the V-BAT to perform advanced maneuvers and mission planning with minimal operator input. This autonomy reduces operator workload and enhances mission reliability, particularly in contested or GPS-denied environments.
Despite its advantages, the V-BAT’s reliance on a single propulsion unit presents a limitation in redundancy compared to multi-engine systems. However, its simple maintenance requirements and modular design mitigate potential downtime.
In summary, the Shield AI V-BAT’s innovative design supports a wide range of operational needs, from tactical reconnaissance to maritime surveillance, making it a highly adaptable UAV.
Performance of the Shield AI V-BAT
The Shield AI V-BAT offers impressive performance characteristics tailored to reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Its VTOL capability ensures deployment in diverse environments, while its endurance and speed allow for extended operations.
The UAV is powered by a two-stroke gasoline piston engine, driving a ducted fan system. This propulsion system enables a maximum speed of 90 knots (167 km/h), balancing agility with the ability to maintain stable hover positions for detailed surveillance. The V-BAT can operate at altitudes up to 15,000 feet (4,572 meters), ensuring effective coverage over a wide area.
The endurance of the V-BAT is a key feature, with flight times exceeding 8 hours, depending on payload and mission profile. Its operational range is estimated at 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers), providing the capability to conduct extended missions without requiring refueling or recovery.
The UAV’s payload capacity is approximately 25 pounds (11.34 kilograms), supporting a variety of sensors and mission-specific equipment. Standard payloads include EO/IR cameras for day and night operations, but the open payload architecture allows for the integration of advanced systems, such as SAR or communications relays.
In comparison to similar UAVs, such as the AeroVironment Jump 20 and Martin UAV’s own Super V-BAT, the Shield AI V-BAT offers superior VTOL functionality and operational simplicity. While the Jump 20 has a longer range, it lacks VTOL capability, requiring additional infrastructure for launch and recovery. The Super V-BAT, while similar in design, does not benefit from the advanced autonomous features of Shield AI’s Hivemind™ software.
The V-BAT’s compact size and minimal deployment requirements enhance its performance in environments where other UAVs may face logistical challenges. For example, it can operate from the deck of a ship, a capability unmatched by fixed-wing UAVs with similar endurance.
The performance of the Shield AI V-BAT ensures its effectiveness in both tactical and strategic roles, offering real-time intelligence and adaptability across a range of mission types.
Variants of the Shield AI V-BAT
The Shield AI V-BAT is available in several configurations, each tailored to specific operational needs. These variants emphasize modularity and adaptability while maintaining the UAV’s core VTOL capabilities.
- Standard V-BAT:
The baseline model is equipped with EO/IR cameras for ISR missions. This variant focuses on providing real-time intelligence with minimal logistical requirements. - V-BAT Maritime:
Designed for shipboard operations, this variant includes enhanced corrosion resistance and additional payload options for maritime surveillance, such as radar or AIS systems. - V-BAT Advanced:
Featuring Shield AI’s Hivemind™ software, this variant offers enhanced autonomy, allowing for more complex mission planning and operation in GPS-denied environments. It supports advanced payloads, such as electronic warfare systems or communications relays. - V-BAT Extended Endurance:
This version includes modifications to increase fuel efficiency, extending flight times to over 10 hours, making it suitable for long-range reconnaissance or border surveillance.
These variants reflect the flexibility of the V-BAT platform, ensuring that operators can select configurations aligned with their mission requirements.
Military Use and Combat of the Shield AI V-BAT
The Shield AI V-BAT has been deployed in various military operations, serving as a critical asset for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its VTOL capability and compact design enable rapid deployment in both land-based and maritime environments, supporting diverse tactical and strategic objectives.
ISR and Tactical Reconnaissance
The V-BAT has been widely used for border security, counter-insurgency operations, and maritime patrol missions. Equipped with EO/IR cameras, it provides high-resolution imagery and real-time intelligence, enhancing situational awareness for ground forces. For example, during recent joint exercises, the V-BAT demonstrated its ability to monitor enemy movements in urban environments, relaying data directly to command centers.
Maritime Operations
The V-BAT Maritime variant has been employed for shipboard operations, particularly in anti-piracy and smuggling interdiction efforts. Its compact design allows it to take off and land on small ship decks, providing persistent surveillance of coastal areas and shipping lanes.
Autonomous Missions
Shield AI’s Hivemind™ software enables the V-BAT to perform autonomous reconnaissance in GPS-denied environments, such as contested battlefields. This capability has been utilized in electronic warfare exercises, where the UAV effectively detected and tracked electronic emissions from adversary systems.
Export and Global Deployment
The V-BAT has been exported to several allied nations, including deployments in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Its adaptability makes it an attractive option for countries seeking a cost-effective solution for ISR and tactical operations. In 2023, the U.S. Army’s selection of the V-BAT for the FTUAS program further solidified its status as a versatile UAV platform.
Competitive Landscape
The V-BAT competes with UAVs like the AeroVironment Jump 20 and Boeing Insitu ScanEagle. While these platforms offer specific advantages, the V-BAT’s VTOL capability and autonomous features give it a distinct edge in operations requiring rapid deployment and high flexibility.
Current Status
As of 2025, the V-BAT remains in active service with various militaries, including the U.S. Navy and Army. Ongoing upgrades focus on enhancing endurance, payload capacity, and autonomous capabilities, ensuring its relevance in evolving operational environments.
The Shield AI V-BAT combines innovative design, VTOL functionality, and advanced autonomy to address the demands of modern ISR and tactical missions. Its adaptability, ease of deployment, and multi-mission capability make it a valuable asset for military and security forces worldwide. While its single-engine design poses limitations, the UAV’s strengths in efficiency and versatility ensure its continued utility in diverse operational contexts.
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