Honeywell Aerospace is building trusted autonomy for both commercial and defense platforms leveraging Shield AI software development kit

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom (July 22, 2026) — Honeywell Aerospace (Nasdaq: HONA) and Shield AI, a leader in AI-powered mission autonomy, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding under which Honeywell Aerospace will develop a trusted autonomy software stack on Shield AI’s Hivemind Software Development Kit, integrating Honeywell Aerospace’s Anthem™ avionics, navigation, and sensing portfolio. 

The collaboration aims to help defense operators move from demonstration to deployment faster across a wider range of operational environments, without having to rebuild confidence in each new system every time. In parallel, the companies will explore the architecture required to bring trusted, AI-piloted autonomy to commercial aviation and other transportation applications. Shield AI will also evaluate the use of Honeywell Aerospace’s high-integrity, safety-critical products on its own uncrewed aircraft platforms. 

The central challenge in mission autonomy is no longer whether software can fly an aircraft — it is whether that aircraft can be certified and trusted to fly without direct human control. Regulators, defense customers, and commercial operators each require confidence in the underlying system before it can be fielded. Closing that gap is the objective of this collaboration. 

“Autonomy software can fly an aircraft — but trust has to be engineered into the architecture, not bolted on after,” said Matt Milas, president, Defense & Space, Honeywell Aerospace. “Our role is to build the certified, design-assured foundation that lets a warfighter, a regulator and a fleet operator all trust the same platform. That’s the layer we bring to this collaboration — the one that turns intelligence like Hivemind into something that can be deployed safely and at scale anywhere in the world.” 

“Honeywell Aerospace’s certified avionics, navigation, and sensing systems paired with Hivemind, which delivers mission autonomy for intelligent, collaborative operations, create a trusted foundation for AI-piloted flight,” said Gary Steele, CEO, Shield AI. “This collaboration reflects how the aerospace and defense ecosystem is evolving — bringing the best of autonomy and certified hardware to address transportation and national security challenges.” 

Under the collaboration, the companies will evaluate joint pursuits of defense Unmanned Aerial System programs globally — and explore how Honeywell Aerospace’s certified systems can extend Hivemind’s reach into both U.S. and international markets, supporting allied nations seeking domestic autonomy capability.  

About Honeywell Aerospace 

Honeywell Aerospace (Nasdaq: HONA) is an independent global aerospace and defense company whose critical technologies are broadly deployed on the world’s leading commercial air transport, business aviation, defense and space platforms. These integrated solutions enable safer, more efficient and more reliable missions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company employs more than 36,000 people globally and supports more than 10,000 customers. With a broad portfolio spanning avionics and navigation systems, engines and power systems, and control systems for aircraft, Honeywell Aerospace combines commitment and deep engineering expertise to drive innovation and long-term value for the aerospace industry. For more information, visit aerospace.honeywell.com or follow Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on LinkedIn. 

About Shield AI: 

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.  

Media Contacts:  

Honeywell Aerospace
Matt Hasson
(480) 772-7535
[email protected] 

Shield AI
Lily Hinz
410-507-6170
[email protected]