Joby Aviation has acquired Shield AI for $500.0 million, a cash-and-stock transaction that brings the defense-technology company under the air mobility firm’s ownership. The deal, finalized this week, transfers all of Shield AI’s operations, intellectual property, and personnel to Joby, which will absorb the company as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Shield AI, founded in 2015, develops autonomous systems for military and defense applications. Its core offerings include the Hivemind autonomy software, which enables aircraft to operate without GPS or external communications, as well as the V-BAT and X-BAT unmanned aircraft and Aechelon simulation technologies. The company maintains offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, with its systems currently supporting active operations in multiple regions.
For Joby Aviation, best known for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft development, the acquisition provides immediate entry into the defense sector. Joby’s existing work on piloted eVTOL aircraft shares engineering foundations with Shield AI’s autonomy stack, particularly in flight control and sensor fusion. By owning Shield AI outright, Joby gains access to a deployed customer base in the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries, along with a team experienced in certifying and fielding unmanned systems in contested environments.
The strategic rationale centers on technology transfer. Joby intends to integrate Hivemind’s autonomy capabilities into its own aircraft platforms, potentially accelerating progress toward fully autonomous passenger flight. Conversely, Shield AI’s V-BAT and X-BAT programs could benefit from Joby’s manufacturing expertise and supply chain relationships, which are geared toward high-volume production. The combined entity will also consolidate research and development efforts in simulation and synthetic reality, reducing duplication across the two companies’ engineering teams.
The transaction is expected to close within the next quarter, subject to regulatory approvals. Post-close, Shield AI will retain its brand and leadership structure, operating as a distinct unit under Joby’s corporate umbrella. The combined company will pursue a dual-track strategy: maintaining Shield AI’s defense contracts while leveraging its autonomy software to differentiate Joby’s commercial air taxi service. Early integration work will focus on aligning software development roadmaps and harmonizing safety certification processes across both product lines.