Shield AI has secured approximately $2 billion in new capital, combining $1.5 billion in Series G funding with $500 million in preferred equity, reaching a post-money valuation of $12.7 billion. The funding round is led by Advent International, with participation from JPMorganChase and other investors, while funds managed by Blackstone are contributing to the preferred equity financing.
A portion of the proceeds will support the planned acquisition of Aechelon Technology, a company known for its advanced simulation and training software used by defense organizations. Aechelon’s systems play a role in pilot training and testing of autonomous platforms, including integration with the Pentagon’s Joint Simulation Environment.
Shield AI CEO Gary Steele stated, “The acquisition of Aechelon will accelerate the work we are doing with Hivemind, particularly in simulation.” He added that the deal will support the advancement of AI-driven pilot systems. Aechelon will continue operating independently after the acquisition, with its leadership reporting into Shield AI. The newly raised capital will also fund continued development of Shield AI’s autonomous aircraft platforms and AI models, which are already being deployed across multiple vehicle types and defense programs.