RTX and Shield AI partner to integrate autonomous capabilities

Arlington-based RTX (formerly Raytheon) and San Diego-based Shield AI have announced a partnership to integrate Shield AI’s autonomy system into selected RTX defence products such as loitering munitions and sensors. This collaboration will deliver enhanced, autonomous capabilities to US and allied defence forces, say both companies.

RTX will integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy system to field the first operational weapon powered by Networked Collaborative Autonomy (NCA) – a breakthrough technology that fuses real-time coordination, resilience and combat-proven firepower. This work will be fully funded by the companies, without the need for government investment, though RTX hasn’t disclosed which existing or new weapon will be integrated with Hivemind.

“AI and autonomy continue to enhance the performance of our products,” said RTX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chris Calio. “In partnership with Shield AI, we will deliver critical new solutions that will create a competitive advantage for our customers.”

“RTX’s defence systems paired with Hivemind, which delivers mission autonomy for intelligent, collaborative operations, create powerful new capabilities for the warfighter,” said Gary Steele, CEO, Shield AI. “This collaboration reflects how the defence ecosystem is evolving — bringing the best of autonomy and hardware to bear on national security challenges.”

Shield AI will also integrate the Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) software, developed by its Vision Systems business in Port Melbourne, with RTX’s Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS). This will enable automated AI-based sensor autonomy against maritime and airborne swarm targets, with a focus on rapid productization for current MTS customers.

This partnership underscores RTX and Shield AI’s shared commitment to advance the future of autonomous defense systems responsibly — aligning with DoD principles by ensuring systems are reliable, traceable and governable, while upholding the highest standards of security and effectiveness.