Startup hints at a new, wholly independent drone platform set for launch in September
Late Tuesday at the Paris Air Show, defense technology startup ShieldAI unveiled a teaser video highlighting what it calls a “next-gen aircraft,” fueling speculation about the company’s evolving military drone strategy. Although the company’s new CEO, Gary Steele, declined to provide detailed specifications, he confirmed to Breaking Defense that this is a completely new drone platform, not merely an upgraded version of their existing V-Bat.
A New Frontier in Drone Technology Coming This Fall
“Our official launch is scheduled for September,” Steele revealed during an interview at Le Bourget on Wednesday. Emphasizing the importance of autonomy, he indicated that the aircraft in development will be a “next-generation autonomous aircraft,” capable of addressing significant gaps in current defense capabilities.
Steele articulated a broad vision: “We see tremendous opportunity. We believe we can make a meaningful contribution across defense sectors worldwide, filling critical operational gaps with our technology.”
From Software to Hardware: A Strategic Pivot
Originally, ShieldAI was focused exclusively on developing AI-driven software solutions until its acquisition of Martin UAV, which brought the V-Bat drone into its portfolio. This move introduced the company into the hardware domain—a sector some industry insiders viewed as a less natural fit given its roots.
However, Steele downplayed concerns about the company shifting its focus toward physical systems, emphasizing that the core of ShieldAI remains its cutting-edge autonomy software. “Any move into hardware will be thoughtful,” he stressed, reaffirming the company’s commitment to software innovation.
Addressing Safety and Public Perception
Earlier this year, Forbes reported safety concerns surrounding the V-Bat, but Steele expressed confidence that these issues have been addressed. “The company has made significant strides in safety, compliance, and transparency,” he said. “We believe those challenges are behind us, and safety remains a top priority.”
Leading Through Maturity and Scale
Steele, who took the CEO role in March—the first outsider to lead the company founded by brothers Ryan and Brendon Tseng—outlined ambitions focused on “maturity” and “scale.” Asked for specifics, he emphasized growth, both operationally and internationally.
“The vision is to develop the company into a mature, scalable organization,” he explained. “That means establishing a solid foundation for sustainable growth. We haven’t fully achieved that yet.”
Expanding Beyond Borders
International markets are a key area of growth for ShieldAI. Steele acknowledged significant global demand and stressed the importance of evolving into a truly international business, no longer centered solely on the U.S. market. “Expanding our presence globally is crucial,” he stated. “We see a big opportunity in serving diverse defense needs worldwide.”
Looking Ahead: Focused on Growth and Innovation
Overall, Steele conveyed that his primary goal is to bring a new level of maturity and focus to ShieldAI as it scales up. “My aim is to help the company transition into a fully developed, dynamic organization capable of delivering on its ambitious technological and market objectives,” he concluded. With a September launch on the horizon, the defense industry awaits the reveal of what could be a pivotal advancement in autonomous military aviation.
