Shield AI Hivemind set for integration with Australian loitering munitions

Companies announced autonomy pact at army event in Perth, as Lockheed Martin beefs up local UH-60M support.
Shield AI and Australian loitering munition developer Innovaero Technologies have entered a pact to improve the performance of the Owl family of munitions.

The two have signed a memorandum of understanding for the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software with the Owl family, according to Shield AI.

Hivemind has already been integrated with the Owl-B munition ahead of flight testing. The objective is to speed up mission planning and increase the lethality of Owl family weapons.

“Innovaero combines deep expertise in loitering munitions with a strong commitment to building sovereign capability in Australia,” says Adam Hogan, vice president of Hivemind for Australia, Asia and the Middle East at Shield AI.

“By integrating Hivemind into the Owl family, we will help the [Australian Defence Force] plan and execute missions faster, coordinate multiple aircraft and operate when GPS or communications are degraded. This collaboration will also give Australia greater control over how that autonomy is developed, tested and fielded.”

The Owl family comprises three systems: the electric-powered, medium-range Owl-B; the lightweight Owl-A; and the turbojet-powered Owl-X.

The two companies made the announcement during Australia’s Land Forces army event in Perth.

Separately, Lockheed Martin Australia used the event to announce that Australia’s Rosebank Engineering will provide local MRO support for the flight control, mechanical, and landing gear systems of the Sikorsky UH-60M helicopter.

Performing MRO work locally will improve maintenance turnaround times for the UH-60M fleet.

The Australian army announced that the UH-60M attained initial operating capability in February 2025. Cirium, an aviation analytics company, indicates that the Australian army has received 19 UH-60Ms out of a total order for 40 examples.

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