SAN DIEGO (June 17, 2025) – Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and defense aircraft, today announced the second flight demonstration of its mission autonomy software, Hivemind, on a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-20 Avenger. Conducted in a live-virtual-constructive (LVC) environment, the demonstration showcased Hivemind executing coordinated tasks between one live aircraft and its digital twin in a realistic mission scenario. 

The June event follows Shield AI and GA-ASI’s successful integration earlier this year during February’s Orange Flag exercise. While the February flight focused on basic administrative tasks using a command-line interface (CLI), the June test demonstrated tactical skills such as formation flying and combat air patrol maneuvers, using A-GRA-compliant mission planning software. By testing in complex, LVC mission environments, Shield AI is accelerating the path to scalable, operational autonomy. 

“Readiness means flying today, not waiting for perfect conditions. Autonomy doesn’t get better in a lab or inside a PowerPoint. It improves when it flies, when it fails, adapts, and flies again. That’s how we reach operational mission autonomy,” said Christian Gutierrez, VP of Hivemind Solutions at Shield AI. “This demonstration reflects the hard work of our engineering teams who continue to push software into real-world scenarios to accelerate learning and performance. We’re not just testing—we’re lowering the risk for fielded autonomy and proving that scalable, mission-ready autonomy is already here.” 

The demonstration highlighted several key capabilities: 

• Live-virtual autonomy: Hivemind commanded both a live MQ-20 and its digital twin, executing coordinated tasks across physical and virtual aircraft in a blended mission scenario. 

• Integrated mission threads: Autonomy software connected seamlessly with C2 and edge systems for real-time execution. 

• Open, modular architecture with A-GRA-compliant ground system layers: Enabled platform-agnostic integration and added operational realism to the test environment. 

“This event reflects the kind of interoperability and adaptability we believe is essential for future autonomy efforts,” said Michael Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. “Being able to rapidly integrate and test autonomy elements from multiple vendors helps ensure the most effective capabilities are available to the warfighter, regardless of origin.” 

Hivemind is AI-powered autonomy software that enables unmanned systems to conduct complex missions in GPS- and comms-denied environments. Built for modular integration, operator confidence, and multi-platform deployment, Hivemind delivers mission autonomy with proven adaptability and tactical relevance. 

About Shield AI 

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include V-BAT, Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—and Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.     

Media Contact: Lily Hinz; media@shield.ai