Shield AI
| File:SAI-Logo-Horizontal-Black (1).png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Gary Steele (CEO) |
Number of employees | 1,000 (2025) |
| Website | shield.ai |
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Shield AI, Inc. is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense technology firm located in San Diego, California. The company specializes in developing artificial intelligence-enabled fighter pilot systems, drones, and other defense-related technologies. Its customer base includes the United States Special Operations Command, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, as well as various allied military forces. Notably, its small-unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) known as Nova was the first AI-driven drone deployed for U.S. military defense operations.
History
Established in 2015 by ex-Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng along with his brother Ryan Tseng and Andrew Reiter in San Diego, Shield AI launched with an initial $100,000 seed investment from close contacts to create intelligent solutions aimed at safeguarding military personnel and civilians. The company developed the initial Nova drone prototype within that same year.
In 2016, Shield AI earned its inaugural contract from the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) autonomy program. By 2018, Nova was actively utilized for reconnaissance and combat support missions in the Middle East.
By 2021, the firm secured a $7.2 million agreement from the U.S. Air Force for its small-unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). That year also saw acquisitions of defense contractor Heron Systems and aerospace manufacturer Martin UAV for undisclosed amounts. Following a financing round in 2021, Shield AI's valuation surpassed $1 billion. Prominent investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Breyer Capital, and Silicon Valley Bank.
In June 2022, after raising $165 million in capital, the company's valuation increased to $2.3 billion.
During that year, Shield AI obtained a $60 million contract from the U.S. Air Force through the Pentagon’s AFWERX-STRATFI initiative and became part of the Air Force’s $950 million Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) program.
In 2022, Shield AI extended its global reach by inaugurating an office in the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of retired Navy SEAL Vice Admiral Bob Harward. Its technology was showcased during the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s "Digital Horizon" exercise in Bahrain, highlighting unmanned and AI capabilities.
In October 2023, Shield AI completed a $200 million funding round at a valuation of $2.7 billion, co-led by U.S. Innovation Technology Fund (USIT) and Riot Ventures.
In April 2024, a V-BAT drone incident resulted in injury to a U.S. Navy service member during vertical landing procedures. CEO Ryan Tseng described the occurrence as unforeseen and implemented flight restrictions on V-BAT operations while improvements were made to support autonomous launch and landing functions.
By January 2025, Shield AI had established an office in Kyiv to assist Ukraine with its operation of V-BAT drones.
On March 4, 2025, China placed Shield AI on its export control list prohibiting dual-use commodity exports to the company amid rising trade tensions.
Shortly thereafter, on March 12, 2025, former Cisco executive Gary Steele succeeded Ryan Tseng as CEO; Tseng transitioned to Chief Strategic Officer.
In October 2025, Shield AI revealed plans to construct a flight testing facility at Newton City/County Airport near Newton, Kansas.
Technology
Shield AI employs advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop defense-related software and hardware solutions. In 2015, the company introduced Nova, an autonomous quadcopter drone, alongside Hivemind, its proprietary AI autonomy platform. This technology allows drones and aircraft to function independently in environments where GPS signals and communications are compromised. Their offerings enhance reconnaissance capabilities during close-quarters combat and tackle tactical operations such as room-clearing and navigating the fatal funnel.
Nova is a self-governing quadcopter sUAS that utilizes lidar sensors to operate effectively without reliance on GPS. It is capable of entering hostile structures during military operations, providing real-time images and mapping data to troops, thereby enhancing battlefield awareness. Both Nova and Hivemind have been employed by the US Special Operations Command for reconnaissance and combat missions. As reported by WIRED, this represented the inaugural deployment of AI-driven drones within U.S. military defense activities. The Wall Street Journal referred to it as “the first autonomous robot of its kind used in combat.” In 2021, Shield AI released the updated Nova 2 model.
Following its acquisition of Martin UAV, Shield AI expanded its portfolio with the AI-enabled vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft called V-BAT. In 2022, the defense forces of Brazil acquired V-BAT units. Additionally, the company unveiled V-BAT Teams, a drone swarm management system that permits a single operator to simultaneously control a minimum of four V-BAT drones.
Recognition
In 2020, Shield AI was ranked 5th on Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Robotics Companies. That same year, co-founders Brandon and Ryan Tseng were recognized among WIRED25’s influential innovators.
The following year, Forbes included Shield AI among America’s Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies. It also secured the 287th position on the Inc. 5000 list in 2021. The company’s Nova drone was highlighted in The Wall Street Journal’s “100 Years of Robots” feature.
In 2022, Shield AI was ranked 97th on Forbes’ America’s Best Startup Employers list.
By 2023, Shield AI reappeared on Forbes’ AI 50 list and was recognized on Inc.’s Best Workplaces ranking.
In 2025, CNBC placed Shield AI at number 38 on its annual Disruptor 50 list.