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Capability · Military AI and autonomy

Autonomy software stacks

Reusable software that gives different vehicles and robots autonomous behaviour.

Limited fieldingPart of Military AI and autonomy
Builders
5
5 recorded roles
Products
2
Tagged with it
Inputs
1
1 high or critical
Sources
5
Cited on this page
News
2
Mentions

Assessment

Case for · why it matters

Autonomy that runs on the vehicle is what lets systems keep operating when communications and GPS are jammed, a routine condition in Ukraine. Hardware-agnostic stacks (Shield AI Hivemind, Applied Intuition/EpiSci, Swan) let one software investment move across many airframes and vessels.

Case against · the skeptic’s view

Weapon autonomy is governed by DoD Directive 3000.09, which requires 'appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force', and a growing number of states and NGOs seek regulation or a ban. Field evidence for vendor claims is thin, and most new stacks have been shown only in demonstrations.

Who builds it5

Autonomy software stacks: organizations by maturity

  1. Fielded0

    • —

  2. Limited fielding1

  3. Prototype1

  4. Development1

  5. Research0

    • —

  6. Concept0

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Maturity not yet rated: AITAN Systems, Applied Intuition

Placed by each organization's own maturity for this technology; TRL is self-reported or estimated, see confidence.

Products2

Dominion Scout

Dominion Dynamics

Planned uncrewed autonomous collaborative platform (wingman) for Arctic operations alongside crewed fighters; first flight targeted within 24 to 30 months of August 2026.

Concept

Hivemind

Shield AI

Shield AI's platform-agnostic autonomy software (AI pilot) for uncrewed aircraft and other vehicles.

Maturity not rated

Inputs it depends on1

Criticality is how much a shortage would constrain production; open an input for producers, concentration and trade controls.

News2

Open in the news feed →

Sources5

Profile1

  1. 1
    ResearchDefense Primer: U.S. Policy on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

    Congressional Research Service · Mar 26, 2026 · Supports Technology

    “it is believed they would enable military operations in communications-degraded or -denied environments in which traditional systems may not be able to operate”

Technologies4

  1. 2
    NewsIsraeli startups Kela and eyesAtop to power IDF's autonomous attack drones

    Calcalist (CTech) · Jul 14, 2026 · Supports Organization technology

    “has developed technology that enables a single operator to command and control multiple drones simultaneously”
  2. 3
    CompanyApplied Intuition acquires EpiSci, boosting all-domain autonomy

    Applied Intuition · Feb 6, 2025 · Supports Organization technology, Technology

    “This strategic move positions Applied Intuition's defense business as the premier autonomy software developer for use cases across all domains”
  3. 4
    CompanyHivemind: Autonomous Drone & AI Pilot Software

    Shield AI · Supports Organization technology

    “Since piloting the first fully autonomous combat mission in 2018, Hivemind has become the trusted AI pilot operating alongside U.S. and allied forces.”
  4. 5
    CompanySwan

    Swan · Supports Organization technology, Technology · technology input:edge-ai-compute

    “Running directly on individual assets, it delivers navigation, sensing, mapping, and precision-targeting capabilities that can be fielded independently or together.”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.