V-BAT
V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall in May 2023
Role UAV
National origin United States
Manufacturer Shield AI
Status In service
Primary user United States Navy

V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle originally developed by Martin UAV, now Shield AI.

In late April 2021 the United States Navy selected the V-BAT for prototyping and development.[1]

In February 2022, Brazilian company VSK Tactical ordered an undisclosed number of V-BATs for security and monitoring roles.[2]

On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT, together with a Skyways V2.6B UAV, made the first unmanned cargo deliveries to a US Navy ship at sea with each UAV carrying a cargo of 22.5kg 200nm (370km) onto a moving ship.[3]

In March 2023 the United States Army announced that the V-BAT had been selected to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Shield AI teamed with Northrop Grumman for the competition.[4]

On 9 October 2023 Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had a drone-swarming capability.[5]

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: none
  • Length: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 9.7 ft (3.0 m)
  • Gross weight: 125 lb (57 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Suter TOA 288 two-cylinder engine

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 56 mph (90 km/h, 49 kn)
  • Endurance: 10 hours
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

Avionics
electro-optical (EO)/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras

References

  1. ↑ "US Navy selects Martin UAV's V-BAT for VTOL UAS prototyping effort". Naval Technology. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Brazil orders V-Bat | Shephard". 8 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Ryan Finnerty (30 December 2022). "UAVs deliver cargo to US Navy ship at sea for first time". Flight Global. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "US Army Selects Northrop Grumman, Teamed with Shield AI, for Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Prototype". Northrop Grumman Corporation. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Shield AI unveils V-BAT teams drone swarm tech with eye to replicator". Defense News. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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