Shield AIs V-BAT successfully took part in Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5), a Combined, Joint, and international experiment held at Fort Irwin, California, in March 2025.
V-BAT ran as part of the 82nd Airborne Divisions missions in The Box, Fort Irwins famously requiring training area in the Mojave Desert.V-BAT stood out versus active jammers, successfully defeating electronic warfare risks and reinforcing its role as a force multiplier for Army units.
Its performance demonstrated the capability to operate in objected to conditions and offer crucial Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR-T) assistance where conventional systems may be broken down or denied.V-BAT is designed to operate at every echelon within an Army division, performing the complete spectrum of UAS missions, said Brandon Tseng, Shield AIs President, Co-founder, and previous Navy SEAL.
Whether supporting small systems at the tactical edge or offering division-wide ISR-T, V-BAT provides a critical benefit in contested and complex environments.During PC-C5, the 82nd Airborne Division experimented with employing V-BAT in long-range air attacks evaluating ways to use todays technology on tomorrows battlefield.
Supplying ISR-T at the tactical edge is a critical requirement for the Army, however legacy unmanned airplane cant fit inside a UH-60 and would use up valuable space in a CH-47.
V-BATs distinct size, endurance, and operational versatility make it an extremely capable service for this objective set.The V-BAT is the only single-engine ducted fan vertical launch and landing (VTOL) unmanned airplane system (UAS) operationally deployed in numerous regions worldwide.
With its special ducted-fan style and the capability to launch and recover in restricted spaces, it is preferably suited for shipborne and austere environments, ensuring versatility and durability in complicated missions.
V-BAT has earned its reputation for reliability, running with impunity in GPS- and comms-denied environments.
Its proven efficiency in contested regions like Ukraine, the Black Sea, and the Indo-Pacific demonstrates its capability to endure innovative electronic warfare hazards that have grounded many conventional drones.The PC-C5 experiment combined leaders and Soldiers to check and improve future warfighting ideas.
V-BATs performance showcased its multi-echelon adaptability, proving its efficiency across all levels of Army department operationsfrom reconnaissance and surveillance to target acquisition and logistics support.Source: Shield AI