From SiliconANGLE · Mike Wheatley · · 1m 20s
Shield AI Acquires Echodyne for $5.3B
Shield AI buys radar startup Echodyne for $5.3 billion to boost autonomous drone capabilities.
In brief
Shield AI buys radar startup Echodyne for $5.3 billion to boost autonomous drone capabilities. Shield AI acquires Echodyne for $5.3 billion to enhance its autonomous drone warfighting systems with advanced radar technology. Originally reported by SiliconANGLE.
Shield AI Acquires Echodyne
Defense technology startup Shield AI Inc. agreed to buy Bill Gates-backed radar startup Echodyne Inc. for $5.3 billion.
Enhancing Drone Capabilities
The deal aims to improve Shield’s autonomous drone warfighting capabilities using Echodyne’s advanced radar systems.
Echodyne’s MESA Technology
Echodyne’s Metamaterials Electronically Scanned Array or MESA technology detects smaller targets than traditional radar.
Recent Defense Contract
Echodyne secured a $250 million contract with the U.S. Defense Department’s counter-drone task force JIATF-401.
Shield AI’s VTOL Drones
Shield AI develops X-Bat and V-Bat vertical takeoff and landing drones used by the U.S. Coast Guard for drug busts.
Autonomous Software System
Shield AI also creates Hivemind, an autonomous software system for piloting unmanned drones and spacecraft.
Leadership Statements
Shield AI CEO Gary Steele said the deal will accelerate branching into three unmanned systems business units.
Echodyne’s Future Plans
Echodyne will continue as a standalone entity within Shield AI, with CEO Eben Frankenberg reporting to Steele.
The big picture
Shield AI acquires Echodyne for $5.3 billion to enhance its autonomous drone warfighting systems with advanced radar technology.
