Shield AI and Destinus are joining forces. They will integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind mission autonomy software into Destinus’ aerial platforms. This partnership is significant. It’s the first time next-gen defense innovators from Europe and the US have collaborated. They aim to create a scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture. Shield AI and Destinus are joining forces. They combine Shield AI’s strong AI autonomy with Destinus’ big manufacturing power in Europe. Their goal is to quickly deploy AI-enabled unmanned systems to Ukraine. This also aims to strengthen Europe’s defense ecosystem.
As part of the deal, Hivemind will be built into Destinus’ Ruta and Hornet unmanned aerial systems. These systems will work with Shield AI’s V-BAT. They will swap data, coordinate maneuvers, and adjust in real-time with targeting updates. This will give them a tightly integrated reconnaissance-strike capability. The companies will show their systems working together in joint flight demos in 2026.
“Integrating Hivemind across diverse aircraft architectures like Ruta, Hornet, and V-BAT demonstrates how a unified autonomy framework can enable distributed mission execution,” said Nathan Michael, Shield AI Chief Technology Officer and Head of the Hivemind Business Unit. “By allowing platforms to perceive, decide, and act together in real time, Hivemind delivers scalable autonomy that enhances coordination, survivability, and mission success across the battlespace.”
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“For Europe to achieve true technological sovereignty, we must unite world-class AI autonomy with industrial scale,” said Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Destinus. “This partnership strengthens that effort by pairing Destinus’ platforms and AI avionics with Shield AI’s combat-proven mission autonomy. With Destinus platforms, we are engineering the backbone of a distributed, intelligent, and resilient autonomous strike architecture for Europe and for Ukraine.”
Hivemind is a strong autonomy tool. It connects different systems, so reconnaissance and strike assets can work together smoothly. This unified team works quickly and accurately. They close the reconnaissance-strike loop to boost operational effectiveness. Hivemind boosts traceability, reliability, and strong governance. It helps human decision-makers and offers clear situational awareness. This support is vital for mission success in complex settings.