Shield AI Selected to Integrate Hivemind Autonomy into LUCAS Drone Program

May 19, 2026
Shield AI has been chosen by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering to incorporate its Hivemind autonomy software into the LUCAS kamikaze drone program, enabling coordinated swarm operations.

Shield AI has been selected by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering to integrate its Hivemind autonomy software into the LUCAS kamikaze drone program, announced in a press release.

The LUCAS initiative, developed by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Prototyping and Experimentation, focuses on building large numbers of low cost, one way attack drones that can be deployed in coordinated groups. Hivemind will function as the AI pilot, allowing these drones to maneuver, coordinate, and adapt together based on operator input.

An operational demonstration is planned for the fall, where a single operator will direct a swarm of autonomous systems working together. The selection extends Hivemind’s use across multiple defense platforms, including the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, the U.S. Navy BQM-177, the Airbus UH-72A Lakota helicopter, and the Destinus Hornet platform.

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