Shield AI has secured a U.S. Air Force production contract to deploy its Hivemind autonomy software as part of the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, marking a key step in the military’s effort to field autonomous wingmen alongside crewed fighters.

The award reflects the Air Force’s effort to build a common autonomy software foundation that can be integrated across multiple Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs instead of being developed for a single platform. Officials believe that approach can accelerate upgrades, lower integration costs, and allow new capabilities to reach operational units faster.

Shield AI’s Hivemind software will support the Air Force’s vision for autonomous aircraft that can operate in coordination with human pilots while handling increasingly complex missions.

Software-centric autonomy strategy

The Air Force has adopted a software-first model for its future autonomous fleet. Under this framework, mission autonomy software can evolve independently from the aircraft carrying it.

That separation allows developers to introduce new capabilities without redesigning airframes or modifying platform-specific hardware. The approach also enables the service to evaluate autonomy solutions on their own merits while preserving competition across the broader CCA ecosystem.

Christian Gutierrez, senior vice president of Hivemind at Shield AI, said mission autonomy will play a central role in future airpower operations. “The Air Force’s approach enables faster innovation, rapid capability deployment, and greater operational advantage for the warfighter,” Gutierrez said.

He added that Shield AI plans to continue working closely with the service to deliver collaborative autonomy capabilities at scale.

Multi-aircraft teaming focus

Under the production contract, Shield AI will concentrate on collaborative combat behaviors involving multiple autonomous aircraft operating together under human supervision. The company aims to reduce operator workload while enabling larger groups of unmanned systems to coordinate actions during missions.

Such capabilities could become increasingly important as the Air Force expands its use of autonomous platforms in contested environments. Rather than simply following predetermined routes, Hivemind allows unmanned aircraft to adapt to changing conditions.

The software can adjust flight paths, react to emerging threats, coordinate with nearby aircraft, and support mission objectives without constant operator input. The company says the platform is designed to function as a digital pilot, helping autonomous systems make decisions in real time while remaining part of a broader human-machine team.

Expanding CCA development

The latest award builds on Shield AI’s existing involvement in the Air Force’s CCA efforts. Earlier this year, the company earned selection as a mission autonomy provider during the program’s Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase. That work continues alongside the new production effort.

Hivemind is currently flying aboard Anduril’s YFQ-44A aircraft, one of the platforms supporting ongoing CCA development activities. The Air Force views collaborative combat aircraft as a cornerstone of its future force structure.

By pairing autonomous aircraft with crewed fighters, the service hopes to increase combat capacity, extend operational reach, and provide commanders with more flexible options during future conflicts. As development advances, software platforms such as Hivemind are expected to play a critical role in determining how effectively autonomous aircraft operate alongside human pilots.

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