Shield AI, a producer of autonomous military aircraft, revealed on Tuesday that it has secured $1.5 billion in Series G investment, achieving a post-money valuation of $12.7 billion. This financing round was spearheaded by the private equity firm Advent – which reportedly possesses a $1 billion allocation for defense technology investments – along with an investment group from JPMorganChase.
Additionally, Shield AI divested $500 million in preferred equity stakes to funds overseen by Blackstone. The company also arranged a $250 million credit facility, available for subsequent drawdown. This influx of capital is enabling Shield AI to acquire Aechelon Technology, a prominent developer of flight simulation technology employed for the instruction of U.S. military aviators. The particulars of this takeover, however, were not made public.
This latest capital injection follows Shield AI having secured $240 million at a $5.3 billion appraisal in March 2025. Consequently, its market value soared by 140% within a single year. A significant factor contributing to this surge is that in February, Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software was designated a supplier for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone prototype program.
Notably, Shield AI’s software was chosen to collaborate with its rival firm, Anduril, for the latter’s “Fury” self-governing combat aircraft. Anduril, predictably, possesses its proprietary software, named Lattice, for piloting its Fury aircraft. However, the Air Force plainly aims to prevent reliance on just one supplier for the entire technological ecosystem of its next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicle armada.
Nevertheless, Anduril will scarcely be perturbed by ceding a portion of the benefits. It most recently secured $2.5 billion in June at a $30.5 billion appraisal, and market rumors suggest its intention to garner up to $8 billion, potentially valuing it at $60 billion.
Additional funders contributing to Shield’s Series G round encompass Snowpoint Ventures, InnovationX, Riot Ventures, Disruptive, and Apandion.
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