Shield AI, the San Diego protection tech startup that builds drones and different AI-powered navy programs, has raised a $240 million spherical at a $5.3 billion valuation, it introduced at present.
Shield AI says its Hivemind software program already allows fighter jets and drones to fly autonomously. Now, Shield AI needs to promote Hivemind to a broader vary of shoppers like robotics corporations.
The spherical’s traders embrace L3Harris, one of many U.S.’s largest protection contractors, and Hanwha Aerospace. Existing traders like Andreessen Horowitz additionally joined.
This makes Shield AI the second-largest protection tech startup within the U.S. by valuation, after Anduril which is elevating at a $28 billion valuation.Â
Autonomy is a scorching subject in protection, with autonomous warship startup Saronic quadrupling its valuation to $4 billion in a $600 million spherical final month.
Shield AI didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
