Shield AI, a defense and aerospace startup specializing in AI pilots, has successfully raised $200 million in its Series F funding round, valuing the company at $2.7 billion. This substantial investment comes less than a year after the company achieved a $2.2 billion valuation following a $60 million funding round in December.

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Shield AI's flagship software, Hivemind, empowers aircraft to operate autonomously in high-threat environments, contributing to air superiority and conflict deterrence.

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Founded in 2015, Shield AI has now raised approximately $773 million in total funding, making it a significant player in the defense tech sector. Notably, this funding round represents the largest investment in any defense tech startup this year.

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While defense tech has historically received less venture capital attention compared to other tech sectors, the sector has seen increased interest recently. Some investors have been hesitant to support defense technologies due to ethical concerns, and tech companies have been cautious about their technology being used for military purposes. Nevertheless, Shield AI's latest funding round underscores the growing importance and potential of defense tech in the market.

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