Martin UAV V-BAT
Shield AI · United States · first flew 2017 · reconnaissance aircraft
The V-BAT is a tail-sitter unmanned air vehicle that takes off and lands vertically on its tail before transitioning to conventional fixed-wing cruise, combining VTOL flexibility with efficient horizontal flight.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 2.74 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unmanned VTOL fixed-wing UAS with tail-sitting launch
- Single pusher/puller piston engine at nose for vertical takeoff
- Transitions from vertical hover to horizontal fixed-wing flight
Circular fuselage pod that balances vertically on four landing legs, with a straight low wing and twin tail booms; the nose-mounted propeller and tail-sitting posture are distinctive on the ground.
Specifications
- The Martin UAV V-BAT has a length of 2.74 m (9 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 2.9 m (10 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 111 km/h (69 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally developed by MLB Company and later acquired by Shield AI, the V-BAT was designed for ship-based and expeditionary ISR operations where runways are unavailable. It has been evaluated by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and other customers for persistent surveillance missions.
Variants
The baseline V-BAT has seen ongoing incremental upgrades to payload and endurance; Shield AI has also developed the V-BAT 128 with improved capabilities.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated and operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps for maritime and expeditionary ISR; interest from various international customers for similar roles.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.