Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT

V-BAT (MDS Name: MQ-35A) 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.

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

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.

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.

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