Building autonomous systems for defense through AI-powered aircraft and mission software
Shield AI is a defense technology company developing autonomous aircraft and AI-driven mission systems designed to operate in contested, GPS-denied, and communications-limited environments. Jetstream invested to gain exposure to a company building foundational autonomy infrastructure for modern defense, where software, resilience, and mission adaptability are becoming increasingly critical to national security.
Company Snapshot
Industry: Defense Technology, Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence
Sector: National Security / Aerospace / AI Infrastructure
Focus: Autonomous Aircraft, Defense Software, Mission Autonomy
Technology: AI-Powered Autonomy, Aircraft Mission Systems, Autonomous Flight Software
Stage: Growth Stage
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Website: www.shield.ai
Portfolio Manager Perspective
Shield AI is building at the intersection of autonomy, aerospace, and national security. As defense systems become more software-defined and operational environments become more contested, autonomy is shifting from a strategic advantage to a mission requirement.
— John Shufeldt, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP, Portfolio Manager
Company Overview
Shield AI develops autonomous systems designed to support military and defense operations in high-risk environments where traditional aircraft and remotely piloted systems may face limitations.
The company is best known for its work in autonomous aircraft and mission software, including Hivemind, its AI-powered autonomy stack, and V-BAT, its vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system. Together, these technologies are intended to enable aircraft to perform missions with greater independence, adaptability, and resilience in complex operating environments.
By combining autonomy software with deployable aircraft platforms, Shield AI is building infrastructure for a future in which intelligent systems play a growing role in surveillance, reconnaissance, defense operations, and mission support.
The Problem
Modern defense operations increasingly require systems that can function in environments where GPS, communications, or human control may be limited, disrupted, or denied.
These conditions create meaningful operational constraints:
- Legacy systems often rely on continuous human oversight or secure communications
- Traditional platforms can be expensive, slow to deploy, and difficult to scale
- Contested environments reduce the effectiveness of remotely piloted systems
- Defense organizations need more adaptable, software-defined mission capabilities
As the character of warfare evolves, autonomy is becoming a necessary layer of resilience rather than a future-state enhancement.
Why Shield AI Stands Out
Unlike traditional aerospace companies or hardware-only drone manufacturers, Shield AI is building around autonomy as the core value layer.
What sets the company apart:
Autonomy-First Architecture: Built around AI-powered autonomy rather than manual control or single-mission hardware
Mission-Relevant Software: Hivemind is designed for real operational use in denied and contested environments
Platform + Software Integration: Combines deployable aircraft systems with scalable autonomy infrastructure
Strategic Market Alignment: Positioned within long-term defense modernization priorities around autonomous systems and resilient operations
High-Importance End Market: Serves a category where technological relevance and national importance are closely linked
Together, these capabilities position Shield AI as a meaningful player in the modernization of defense and autonomous mission systems.
Why We Invested
Shield AI sits at the intersection of several themes we believe will matter deeply to the future of American innovation: artificial intelligence, autonomy, aerospace, and national security.
Jetstream invested because we believe the future of defense will be increasingly shaped by intelligent, software-defined systems that can operate in complex and contested environments. Companies building the autonomy layer behind those systems may become especially important as military and defense priorities continue to evolve.
We were also drawn to Shield AI’s role in a strategically important market where the need is clear, durable, and mission-critical. As governments and defense organizations prioritize resilient, autonomous capabilities, companies with the ability to support that transition may become deeply embedded in next-generation infrastructure.
Shield AI represents an opportunity to gain exposure to a company building toward the future of autonomy, defense readiness, and American technological leadership.
Leadership
Shield AI is led by a team with deep experience across military service, engineering, aerospace, and defense technology.
Brandon Tseng – President, Co-Founder
Ryan Tseng – CEO, Co-Founder
Andrew Reiter – Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder
