In a significant move for the defense industry, RTX and Shield AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing defense platforms through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. This collaboration will specifically incorporate Shield AI’s “Hivemind” autonomy stack into certain RTX defense systems, marking a pivotal step in developing the first operational weapon system powered by what the companies term “Networked Collaborative Autonomy.”
The project is notable for being entirely funded by the companies without any government investment. Among the key innovations to be included is Shield AI’s ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) system, an AI-powered sensor payload designed to augment RTX’s Multi-Spectral Targeting System. This integration will enhance capabilities against both maritime and aerial drone threats, aligning with broader industry trends towards advanced autonomy in military applications.
RTX Chairman and CEO, Chris Calio, voiced strong support for the partnership, emphasizing that AI and autonomy are vital components in the ongoing development and enhancement of defense products. He highlighted the initiative as a reflection of the U.S. Department of Defense’s commitment to integrating autonomous technologies into existing weapon systems, facilitating improvements through rapid software upgrades.
Gary Steele, CEO of Shield AI, echoed this sentiment, remarking on the evolution of the defense ecosystem. He stated that this collaboration showcases the union of autonomy with hardware to tackle pressing national security challenges effectively.
Hivemind, the AI autonomy platform being utilized, is designed to be modular and mission-agnostic, suitable for deployment across air, land, and sea platforms. It supports “human-machine teaming,” allowing human operators to establish mission objectives while entrusting the execution to AI pilots. This capability negates the need for continuous radio contact, a feature that can be essential in situations where communications might be compromised.
Hivemind has been successfully tested on various platforms, including the V-BAT drone, General Atomics’ MQ-20 Avenger, and Lockheed Martin’s VISTA X-62A tactical aircraft, as reported by Breaking Defense. This partnership not only highlights the technological advancements being made in military systems but also underscores a growing trend towards the utilization of AI in enhancing operational effectiveness in defense strategies.
