Shield AI Reaches $2.8B in Defense Tech's Biggest Round

Shield AI has closed a $500M Series F that values the San Diego defense startup at $2.8B, according to two people familiar with the deal. The round, led by Riot Ventures and including participation from ARK Invest and Snowpoint Ventures, marks the largest single raise for an autonomous defense technology company this year. The company isn't just selling drones. It's selling autonomous decision-making software that lets small quadcopters operate without GPS, without radio links, and without human pilots calling every shot. That capability is already in active use.