Shield AI, the advanced technology company dedicated to developing next-generation autonomous aircraft and software products, announced that its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has been operational in Europe since early June under a contract with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and in partnership with Global Sat Tech , to provide a comprehensive border management solution. The aircraft has actively supported surveillance and security efforts along thousands of kilometers of land and sea borders, and played a critical role in emergency response missions.
“We’ve been conducting V-BAT missions with Frontex across the EU since early June, and the results speak for themselves. Over the past 60 days of operations, there has been a significant reduction in both irregular border crossings and criminal activity. Local authorities have directly attributed those results to V-BAT,” explained Brandon Tseng , President, Co-Founder, and former Navy SEAL of Shield AI. “From border interceptions to supporting firefighting teams with real-time intelligence, V-BAT continues to prove that its operational use cases are only limited by our customers’ imaginations.”
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On its second wildfire response mission, V-BAT deployed in late July to support efforts against a rapidly spreading blaze in eastern Bulgaria . From a distance of 30 kilometers, V-BAT detected the fire and quickly arrived on scene to assist local authorities. The aircraft provided real-time tracking of the fire’s movement, identified hotspots, and mapped the location of firefighting personnel. For helicopter crews, V-BAT provided precise fire coordinates and grid data, allowing them to plan and execute water drops more efficiently without wasting time searching for targets.
Particularly impressive was the Bulgarian authorities’ confident resolution of the conflict between V-BAT’s airspace and that of the manned aircraft using altitude separation alone. This reflects a high level of confidence in the platform’s reliability and a mature approach to integrating UAS into complex and dynamic air operations.
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“This project demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can directly strengthen Europe’s border security,” said Nikolay Kerin , CEO of Global Sat. “By integrating advanced aerial surveillance with real-world operational needs, we have helped deliver a flexible, intelligence-driven solution that supports Member States and builds public confidence in how Europe protects its borders.”
V-BAT is Shield AI’s single-engine, ducted-fan vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS, capable of unmanned takeoff and landing. Trusted by U.S. and international forces, it supports a wide range of missions from Group 1 to Group 5 categories and beyond, including in contested electronic warfare environments.
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Source – PR Newswire
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