Shield AI's Hivemind Flies MQ-20 Avenger Autonomously at Orange Flag

AURORA, Colo., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software and defense aircraft, today announced the successful demonstration of its autonomy software, Hivemind, flying a General Atomics' MQ-20 Avenger during a February Orange Flag exercise.

The flight demonstration, in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), marks the first in a series of several planned autonomy flights for Shield AI and GA-ASI in 2025.

"Hivemind flying the MQ-20 is a major step forward in demonstrating operational autonomy at scale and a proof point for the power of industry-led innovation," said Christian Gutierrez, Shield AI's VP of Hivemind Solutions. "We're investing our own resources into this to accelerate our larger goal: flying autonomy on as many platforms as possible. When the government calls for autonomous solutions that enhance mission effectiveness, we'll be ready."

This integration leveraged some Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA)-compliant interfaces—a Department of Defense (DoD) framework designed to enhance interoperability across autonomous military platforms. Future work will build on this foundation, including updates to achieve full A-GRA compliance and further strengthen cross-platform autonomy.

"This flight showcased how advanced autonomous systems can seamlessly operate on open-architecture platforms without vendor lock, ensuring warfighters have access to the best mission autonomy solutions available," said Mike Atwood, GA-ASI's VP of Advanced Programs. "We partnered with Shield AI to bring proven autonomy expertise and a shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge capabilities for the warfighter. GA-ASI is building an open platform that supports these kinds of industry collaborations, which is key to accelerating the future of autonomous aviation and ensuring mission-ready autonomy solutions."

Hivemind is an AI-powered autonomy software platform that enables unmanned systems to execute complex missions in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments, ensuring adaptive, resilient, and coordinated operations across diverse platforms. MQ-20 Avenger is a jet-powered UAS used extensively by GA-ASI as a test bed for future Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

Visitors to the AFA Warfare Symposium can stop by Shield AI's booth (#325) and GA-ASI's booth (#1003) to learn more about this milestone, Hivemind, and the future of autonomy and autonomy development tools for the world.

About Shield AI   
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its flagship autonomy software, Hivemind, powers aircraft, drones, and other platforms, enabling complex missions with high reliability in contested environments. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and internationally, Shield AI's products actively support U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.   

Media contact: Lily Hinz, [email protected]

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com. Media contact: [email protected]

Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.

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SOURCE Shield AI