Shield AI, Innovaero sign autonomy pact for Owl loitering munitions family

Shield AI and Innovaero Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software with the Australian developer's Owl family of loitering munitions. The companies said the aim is faster mission planning and more effective weapons.

Hivemind is already incorporated into the Owl-B munition, which is due for flight testing, according to Shield AI. The Owl family covers three systems: the medium-range, electrically powered Owl-B, the lighter Owl-A, and the turbojet-powered Owl-X.

Adam Hogan, a Shield AI vice president for Hivemind in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, said combining the two firms' work would let the Australian Defence Force plan and carry out missions faster, co-ordinate several aircraft, and keep operating when GPS or communications are degraded. The collaboration also gives Australia more say over how the autonomy is developed, tested and put into service, he added.

The agreement was announced during the Land Forces army exhibition in Perth.

At the same event, Lockheed Martin Australia said Rosebank Engineering would provide local maintenance, repair and overhaul support in Australia for the flight control, mechanical and landing gear systems of the Sikorsky UH-60M helicopter. Doing the work in-country is intended to shorten maintenance turnaround times for the UH-60M fleet.

The Australian army said the UH-60M reached initial operating capability in February 2025. Figures from the aviation analytics company Cirium indicate the army has taken delivery of 19 UH-60Ms from an order of 40.