Integration of AI Pilot onboard XQ-58 Valkyrie
will unlock concept of intelligent, affordable mass for US DoD and
Allies – the Holy Grail of Deterrence
SAN
DIEGO, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kratos
Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a
Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global
Markets, and Shield AI, Inc., a defense technology company building
the world's best AI pilot, have signed an agreement to integrate
and bring to market an AI pilot built by Shield AI for Kratos'
XQ-58 Valkyrie, making real the concept of crewed-uncrewed teaming
for jet aircraft.
"Ukraine is losing 10,000
drones per month due to Russian electronic warfare – primarily
because the Russians are jamming communications and GPS. If an
uncrewed aircraft is unable to operate without GPS and without
communications, it will be near useless in future conflicts," said
Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's Cofounder
and President, who is also a former Navy SEAL. "AI Pilots enable
teams of aircraft to intelligently execute missions without GPS and
communications. When you take an incredible, affordable uncrewed
jet aircraft like the XQ-58 and pair it up with our AI pilot, you
create a game-changing strategic deterrent."
"The Valkyrie is one of a very few number of uncrewed jet
aircraft that are flying today, ramping in production, and are
ready for AI pilot integration. Close integration and access with
Kratos on the XQ-58 will enable the productization of intelligent
uncrewed jet aircraft on a timeline that is, quite frankly, going
to shock some people. Ultimately our AI pilots will be flying many
uncrewed jet aircraft, but I can't think of a better uncrewed jet
to start with than the Valkyrie," said Ryan
Tseng, Shield AI's Cofounder and CEO.
Shield AI has developed a combat-deployed AI pilot that has
flown on a variety of platforms, including a quadcopter, their own
manufactured Group 3 unmanned aircraft system called the V-BAT, and
a modified F-16 fighter jet.
Kratos has active production lines producing approximately 150
jet drones annually, including Valkyrie, and a family of
affordable, expendable, and attritable tactical jet drones flying
today, including Tactical Firejet, Mako, Valkyrie and others, with
actual known cost points of approximately $400,000 to $6.5
million and multiple contracts with the United States Air
Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps and others.
"By taking the most cost-efficient, proven, existing and in
production uncrewed jets, with key performance capabilities, and
pairing them with the most intelligent, capable, and proven AI
pilots, Kratos and Shield AI are uniquely positioned to rapidly
bring the first and best crewed-uncrewed teaming aircraft to
market," commented Eric Demarco, CEO
of Kratos.
About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology
company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians
with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is
building the world's best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has
flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone
(V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in
San Diego, Dallas, Washington
DC and abroad. Shield AI's products and people are currently
in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S.
Department of Defense and U.S. allies. For more information, visit
www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on
LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Kratos Defense
& Security Solutions, Inc.
(NASDAQ: KTOS) is a Technology Company that develops and fields
transformative, affordable systems, products and solutions for
United States National Security, our allies and global commercial
enterprises. At Kratos, Affordability is a Technology, and Kratos
is changing the way breakthrough technology is rapidly brought to
market – at a low cost – with actual products, systems and
technologies rather than slide decks or renderings. Through proven
commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including
proactive, internally funded research and streamlined development
processes, Kratos is focused on being First to Market with our
solutions, well in advance of competition. Kratos is the recognized
Technology Disruptor in our core market areas, including Space and
Satellite Communications, Cyber Security and Warfare, Unmanned
Systems, Rocket and Hypersonic Systems, Next-Generation Jet Engines
and Propulsion Systems, Microwave Electronics, C5ISR and Virtual
and Augmented Reality Training Systems. For more information, visit
www.KratosDefense.com
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SOURCE Shield AI