Shield AI says V-BAT is a Group 3 VTOL UAS for ISR and targeting, with a max payload of 40 lb, 13+ hours endurance, fully unassisted launch and landing, operation in winds up to 25 kts and moving ship speed of 10 kts, deployment in under 30 minutes by a 2-person team, and operation from landing zones as small as 4.
Target environment: Defence operational environments, austere field sites and shipborne decks.
Workflow context: Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting in environments where runway-independent launch and recovery are critical.
Customer context: Defence customers including military ISR units, naval operators and special operations teams.
Deployment model: Deployed defence product with active procurement programs.
Commercial maturity: Deployed platform with active defence procurement and field use.
Adoption constraints: Defence procurement cycles and export controls are the primary adoption constraints.
Market position: A reference VTOL UAV for tactical ISR in contested environments. Distinct from larger MALE UAVs by its shipborne and austere-site deployment capability.
Adjacent products: Skydio X10 (ISR workflow overlap), tactical ISR UAVs, Group 3 VTOL systems
Audience
Armed forces
Workflow
Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting in environments where runway-independent launch and recovery are critical.
Deployment environment
Defence operational environments, austere field sites and shipborne decks.
Specifications
Propulsion: Ducted-fan propulsion with no exposed rotors
Launch Recovery: Fully unassisted vertical takeoff and landing
Payload capacity: 18.14 kg
Mtow Kg: 73 kg
Endurance: 12+ hr max endurance with EO/IR payload
Wingspan: 12.5 ft / 3.8 m wingspan
Dimensions: 9.6 ft / 2.9 m height; 15 ft x 15 ft / 4.6 m x 4.6 m landing zone
Communications: SATCOM BLOS option and mobile command-and-control integration
Wind Tolerance: Launch and land in winds up to 25 kt and moving ship speed of 10 kt
Payload Options: Modular payloads including EO/IR, SAR, AIS, SATCOM, GNSS anti-jam, laser range finder and laser target designator options