Shield AI Joins USAF CCA Programme as Mission Autonomy Provider

Why It Matters

The award validates AI autonomy as a core component of future airpower and positions Shield AI as a leading supplier in a rapidly expanding defense‑AI market.

Key Takeaways

• Shield AI wins USAF CCA mission‑autonomy contract
• Hivemind integrated on Anduril Fury YFQ‑44A
• Program enters Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction phase
• Software meets A‑GRA standards across multiple platforms
• Destinus partnership expands Hivemind aerial integration

Pulse Analysis

The U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative reflects a strategic shift toward autonomous systems that can operate alongside manned platforms. By selecting Shield AI for mission‑autonomy, the service aims to accelerate the development of AI pilots capable of real‑time decision‑making, reducing pilot workload and expanding operational envelopes. This move aligns with broader Department of Defense objectives to embed artificial intelligence across the warfighting spectrum, ensuring the United States maintains a technological edge in contested airspaces.

Shield AI’s Hivemind platform distinguishes itself from traditional autopilots by providing a full‑stack AI that senses, reasons, and acts without human input. Integrated into Anduril’s Fury (YFQ‑44A) demonstrator, Hivemind is already conducting system‑level tests that validate its ability to navigate dynamic environments, avoid restricted zones, and engage targets autonomously. The software’s compliance with the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A‑GRA) and successful trials on platforms such as General Atomics’ MQ‑20 Avenger and Northrop Grumman’s Talon IQ reinforce its readiness for operational deployment.

The contract’s implications extend beyond a single program, signaling a maturing market for autonomous aerospace solutions. Shield AI’s partnership with Dutch startup Destinus further broadens its ecosystem, enabling rapid integration of Hivemind into diverse aerial vehicles. As defense budgets increasingly allocate funds to AI‑enabled capabilities, companies that can demonstrate proven, interoperable autonomy solutions are poised to capture significant share of future procurement, reshaping the competitive landscape of military aviation technology.

Shield AI joins USAF CCA programme as mission autonomy provider

Image: Turkish Aerospace Industries ANKA‑3 drone in flight

Caption: Shield AI’s Hivemind has been integrated on Anduril’s Fury (YFQ‑44A) aircraft. Credit: © Anduril Industries.

Shield AI has been selected to provide mission‑autonomy technology for the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. The company, which focuses on developing advanced autonomy software products and aircraft, will support the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase following a competitive evaluation process.

As part of the programme, Shield AI’s Hivemind software has been integrated into Anduril’s Fury (YFQ‑44A) aircraft. It is currently supporting system‑level testing ahead of planned flight demonstrations in the coming months.

Shield AI CEO Gary Steele said:

“The Air Force is moving with urgency to explore how autonomy can reshape air combat, and we have spent years preparing for this—building, testing, and flying mission autonomy in the real world.

We will work relentlessly to deliver and to help advance the next era of airpower alongside the Air Force and its industry partners.”

Shield AI’s Hivemind functions as an AI pilot or operator for uncrewed defence systems, allowing them to sense, make decisions, and act independently. Unlike autopilot systems that follow set routes, Hivemind can adjust courses to avoid restricted zones, circumvent or engage obstacles, respond to unforeseen situations, and complete assigned missions without human intervention.

The software meets Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A‑GRA) standards and operates across various platforms. It has demonstrated compliance in tests with several government and industry partners, including General Atomics’ MQ‑20 Avenger, Northrop Grumman’s Talon IQ ecosystem, U.S. Navy BQM‑177 test aircraft, and Airbus UH‑72A Lakota helicopter.

Shield AI Hivemind Solutions vice‑president Christian Gutierrez said:

“Delivering mission autonomy in real‑world combat conditions is hard, which is why Shield AI has spent more than a decade building Hivemind and the technical and operational foundation to do it right. We value the opportunity to work with the US Air Force on the future of mission autonomy.”

In November last year, Shield AI established a strategic partnership with Netherlands‑based Destinus to integrate the Hivemind mission‑autonomy software into the latter’s aerial systems.