米軍用AI企業、評価額127億ドルに

2 Min ReadAutonomous military tech vendor Shield AI has raised $1.5 billion in Series G funding. At the same time, the San Diego-based vendor revealed it had secured $500 million in fixed-return preferred equity financing from Blackstone, which also committed a $250 million loan that Shield can draw on in the future.The round was led by private equity firm Advent International and co-led by the J.P. Morgan Strategic Investment Group, with several other existing investors participating.The injection of capital will enable Shield to proceed with plans to acquire Aechelon Technology, a defense software vendor.Shield AI was formed in 2015 and had previously been valued at $5.6 billion. Its continuing upward trajectory underscores the reality that military modernization is becoming increasingly important for the world’s major powers amid global conflicts.This was reflected by the company's selection by the U.S Air Force for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone prototype program.Related:The Real AI Shift Isn’t New Models. It’s Control.The company is now projecting more than 80% revenue growth by the end of 2026, which would equate to about $540 million in revenue this year, according to Fortune.Shield’s core product is Hivemind, which the vendor describes as “a domain-specific AI model that integrates high-fidelity simulation with data from real-world operations to help customers accelerate the adoption of AI pilots."In effect, Hivemind enables aircraft, drones and ground vehicles to operate autonomously in environments without GPS. According to the company, it has been applied to 26 different types of vehicles, including F-16s, jet-powered drones and helicopters.The acquisition of Aechelon, whose simulation tech is used by the U.S military and allies to train pilots and test aircraft and autonomous systems before live use, marks an important step for the company, Shield CEO Gary Steele said in a statement.Shield did not disclose financial details for the Aechelon acquisition.Shield is also likely to use the latest investment to further develop X-BAT, which it bills as the world’s first AI-piloted VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fighter jet. X-BAT is piloted by Hivemind and can launch from ships, negating the need for a runway.About the AuthorContributing WriterGraham Hope has worked in automotive journalism in the U.K. for 26 years, including spells as editor of leading consumer news website and weekly Auto Express and respected buying guide CarBuyer.