Shield AI and Innovaero Collaborate on Sovereign, Autonomous Loitering Munitions for AustraliaI

October 06, 2026

Shield AI and Innovaero Technologies Ltd (ASX:INN), an Australian defence and aerospace technology and manufacturing company specialising in precision loitering munition systems, have announced a collaboration to give the Australian Defence Force (ADF) greater strike capability.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Shield AI will integrate its Hivemind mission autonomy software on Innovaero’s One-Way Loitering (OWL) family of precision munitions. OWL munitions are designed to efficiently identify, track and strike targets. Hivemind will enable faster mission planning and increased lethality in OWL’s attacks. This partnership offers greater sovereign local control for systems being developed and deployed for the ADF.

Hivemind has already been integrated onto Innovaero’s OWL-B aircraft ahead of flight testing. Multi-agent coordinated strike missions are being simulated in dynamic conditions with commands issued through the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) tactical interface.

“Shield AI has a proven track record of integrating Hivemind across a wide range of platforms and operational environments,” said Greg Tunny, CEO of Innovaero. “That experience makes Shield AI an ideal partner as we collaborate to bring advanced mission autonomy to the OWL family. Together, we are accelerating an Australian-designed capability while preserving Australia’s control over its critical defence technologies.”

“Innovaero combines deep expertise in loitering munitions with a strong commitment to building sovereign capability in Australia,” said Adam Hogan, vice president of Hivemind for Australia, Asia and the Middle East at Shield AI. “By integrating Hivemind into the OWL family, we will help the ADF plan and execute missions faster, coordinate multiple aircraft and operate when GPS or communications are degraded. This collaboration will also give Australia greater control over how that autonomy is developed, tested and fielded.”

Hivemind dynamically reroutes mission plans, responds to unexpected conditions, avoids obstacles, and executes complex tasks safely and effectively. Operating as an edge AI capability, it supports platform autonomy when communications are denied, degraded, intermittent, or limited.  Operationally proven in combat, Hivemind has piloted more than 40 classes of vehicles including F-16s, Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, drone boats, one-way attack drones, and ground vehicles. Hivemind was most recently integrated onto the Destinus Hornet loitering munition in the short space of two months, with teams from Australia supporting successful flight tests in Spain.

Innovaero’s OWL family are entirely Australia-designed, one-way loitering munitions built to respond to emerging threats with agility and precision. In March 2025, Innovaero announced upgraded guidance capabilities for its flagship OWL-B precision loitering munition, and the first test demonstrator of the OWL-X variant.

Source : Shield AI