Defend AI’s Hivemind powered autonomous BQM-177A threat-representative maneuvers for the U.S. Navy and DT25 counter-UAV monitoring trials in Norway.
NAVAIR (Naval Air Techniques Command) and Defend AI introduced on Sep. 22, 2025, the check flight of two Kratos BQM-177A aerial targets with the latter’s proprietary Hivemind flight autonomy software program. The purpose was to recreate “extra threat-representative flight profiles and […] maneuvering seen in adversary ways.”
Defend subsequently revealed the check, which NAVAIR stated was performed on Aug. 5, explored operational and technological ideas for the CCA (Collaborative Fight Plane) program. The trial supported the U.S. Navy’s “first beyond-visual-range (BVR) autonomy mission on a fast-moving platform,” performed below the Experimental Platform for Clever Fight (EPIC) challenge.
The check on the Level Mugu Sea Vary in California follows an August 2024 contract from NAVAIR to Defend “to combine its Hivemind AI pilot software program and ship a strong prototype check mattress utilizing the BQM-177A to show autonomous operations throughout flight.” The demonstration, that validated “manned-unmanned teaming objectives,” was overseen by the Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets (PMA-208) packages. One other check is deliberate later this yr.
Informing future @USNavy CCA ideas: BQM-177A, powered by Hivemind.
Mission autonomy has by no means been so EPIC. In collaboration with @NAVAIRNews‘ Strike Planning and Execution Program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets Program (PMA-208), Hivemind efficiently flew the BQM-177A,… pic.twitter.com/G4dSUEtC8L
— Defend AI (@shieldaitech) September 22, 2025
Hivemind AI
NAVAIR described Hivemind as enabling the plane to “function independently utilizing real-time sensor information and onboard processing to make choices, plan routes and execute maneuvers with out distant enter.” Moreover, the assertion says “the software program is designed as an open, modular platform that can be utilized throughout a variety of DoD methods.”
Kratos, the BQM-177A’s developer, built-in the Hivemind on the system as a part of a broader growth effort.
Apparently, Defend AI additionally introduced on Sep. 23 the check of the Airbus Defence and House’s DT25 goal drone with the Hivemind software program at Andøya, Norway. “The plane autonomously tracked a live-flying adversary plane (purple agent) in each permissive and degraded environments,” stated Defend AI.
Defend AI’s Hivemind can also be powering GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger UCAV, which has demonstrated simulated and reside Past Line-of-Sight (BLOS) air-to-air engagements in progressively complicated and real-world eventualities. Hivemind additionally ruled Airbus’s MQ-72C Lakota unmanned rotary-wing platform’s first autonomous check flight at Grand Prairie in Texas.
Trials with Hivemind-enabled BQM-177A
NAVAIR stated that, of the 2 BQM-177As built-in with the Hivemind AI, one demonstrated Superior Automobile Management Legal guidelines (AVCL), whereas the opposite carried out “further autonomous behaviours.” AVCL “permits plane to fly complicated, dynamic maneuvers by translating high-level mission instructions into real-time flight management inputs,” added the Command.
Defend AI clarified that AVCL, a Kratos know-how, had been “up to date” following “flight clearance via the Navy’s rigorous security and airworthiness course of.” AVCL permits the BQM-177A to fly “extra threat-representative flight profiles and the sort of maneuvering seen in adversary ways,” based on NAVAIR.
PMA-208 program supervisor Greg Smart added the power to “simulate sensible interactions with fleet property, gives more practical check and coaching eventualities.” NAVAIR additional touched upon how the BQM-177A “replicates trendy subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats and helps a variety of missions with its inner and exterior payload choices” for “each developmental and operational testing for fleet coaching.”
The BQM-177A performing “extra superior maneuvers and nearer engagements, permitting the goal to extra precisely simulate interactions with manned ships,” represents a necessity to have the ability to deal with the rising menace of one-way assault munitions and uneven threats seen within the U.S. Navy’s struggle within the Pink Sea.
Iran and Houthi threats will not be solely more likely to persist, however even advance additional after intense exchanges with Israel, with Tehran positive to be enhancing its steering, propulsion and seeker know-how, and passing that to the Yemeni group. Future OWA munitions might be extra superior of their maneuvering and kinematic capabilities, shedding gentle on the importance of the Hivemind’s integration on the BQM-177A.
Use in CCAs
Saying that this was the “first time Hivemind autonomously flew the BQM-177A,” Defend AI defined the check “demonstrated profitable management handoff, onboard system communication, and integration with Kratos’ up to date Superior Automobile Management Legal guidelines (AVCL),” touching upon the testing parameters. Defend AI then revealed how the Hivemind-BQM177A check additionally helps the broader CCA effort:
“Initially designed as a high-performance aerial goal, the BQM-177A served on this check as a low-cost autonomy analysis platform, producing insights which will inform Navy Collaborative Fight Plane (CCA) ideas. Its use on this position provides the Navy a strategic asset to de-risk autonomy growth when operational property are unavailable or cost-prohibitive, accelerating Naval Aviation’s path to fleet integration.”
Airbus DT25 powered by Hivemind: Autonomous monitoring in degraded environments
In collaboration with @AirbusDefence, Defend AI efficiently built-in Hivemind onto Airbus’ DT25 goal drone in simply three months. The DT25 autonomously recognized, tracked, and engaged a reside… pic.twitter.com/R49eJocUxz
— Defend AI (@shieldaitech) September 23, 2025
Hivemind’s trials with GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger are additionally feeding the CCA program, the place Normal Atomics can also be the developer of one of many Air Pressure’s two UCAVs, the YFQ-42A. This reinforces “Hivemind’s rising position throughout a broad set of refined plane,” stated Defend AI.
Defend AI’s press launch quoted PMA-281 program supervisor Capt. Todd Smith, who stated, “Future air fight would require machine decision-making at machine velocity.” The corporate additional added “We’re investing in autonomy now, so we will ship smarter, extra adaptable capabilities to the fleet earlier than they’re urgently wanted.”
Hivemind and DT25 Goal Drone check
Hivemind was built-in with the DT25 inside three months and the profitable flight demonstration check in Norway noticed the plane “autonomously monitoring a live-flying adversary plane (purple agent) in each permissive and degraded environments.”
“The demonstration represented a counter-UAS mission profile, showcasing Hivemind’s means to determine, monitor, and reply to airborne threats autonomously.” Though unrelated, this check additionally comes after the Russian drone incursion into Poland, which has triggered an elevated NATO air deployment within the type Japanese Sentry.
Nonetheless, whereas this check was within the works a lot earlier than the Russian drone incident, it might have been impressed by Europe’s participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian in opposition to the Houthis, which noticed British and French warships deal with munitions launched by the group. It stays to be seen whether or not this check suggests Airbus may develop low-cost, AI-enabled drone-based counter-UAV methods.
“The way forward for protection contains to a big extent developments of autonomous capabilities for manned and unmanned property,” stated Thomas Grohs, Head of Unmanned Aerial Techniques Applications at Airbus Defence and House.
