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Unmanned Systems

Shield AI’s AI Pilot Software Selected To Provide Collaborative Autonomy To LUCAS Drones

By Cal Biesecker

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

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Shield AI’s AI Pilot Software Selected To Provide Collaborative Autonomy To LUCAS Drones

LUCAS one-way attack drone. Photo: Shield AI

Shield AI on Tuesday said the Defense Department has picked the company’s Hivemind artificial intelligence software to pilot Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Aircraft System (LUCAS) one-way attack drones and allow them to collaborate. An operational demonstration is planned this fall where a single operator will control a swarm of the AI-enabled LUCAS drones. The value of any contract was not disclosed. A Pentagon official told Defense Daily that "We have taken the initial step to integrate and assess Hivemind on LUCAS."…

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