Shield AI Selected to Integrate Autonomy Software on LUCAS Drone Program
Shield AI will integrate its Hivemind software onto the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, a program for low-cost one-way attack drones. The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering selected the company for the work.
ukdefencejournal.org.ukShield AI announced on May 19, 2026, that the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering has selected the company to integrate its Hivemind autonomy software onto the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System. The LUCAS program develops low-cost, one-way attack drones designed to operate in large numbers.
Shield AI builds autonomy software and aircraft for defense applications.
The integration will add AI-powered swarming capabilities to the LUCAS drones. The drones are intended for coordinated operations in large formations. The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering oversees research and engineering efforts for the Department of War.
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LUCAS drones may gain coordinated swarm capabilities through the software integration.
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