Shield AI, Inc. and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced the successful completion of the first phase of Shield's AI-piloted flight-testing on-board Kratos platforms as the two companies move toward productizing Shield AI's pilot for the XQ-58 Valkyrie. Having successfully flown AI pilots on five aircraft -- three classes of quadcopters, the MQ-35A V-BAT, and the F-16 in fully autonomous air combat training -- Shield AI's Hivemind AI pilot has now successfully flown on and controlled the Kratos MQM-178 Firejet. These successful flights are a major milestone in the comprehensive integration project as Shield AI and Kratos look to ultimately productize another configuration of the Valkyrie, in this case with Shield AI's Hivemind AI Pilot.

The MQM-178 Fire Jet fills a variety of end-to-end weapons-release training roles as a jet target aircraft system, supporting surface-to-air and air-to-air engagements. Additionally, the Tactical Firejet offers an offensive/defensive jet UAS system in the sub $500,000 price range per aircraft with substantial mission systems and performance capabilities. In either mission configuration (target/tactical), the Firejet delivers a high-speed, high-maneuverability, low-signature solution for replicating threats or enabling no-risk-to-American-life operational effectiveness with a level of contested environment capability.