Elbit vs Shield AI: Defense & security compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Elbit ranks 40 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 84; Shield AI ranks 77 with 80. Elbit is ahead on deployment, production and commercials. Shield AI is ahead on progress. Level on technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. Elbit is based in Haifa, Israel, Shield AI in San Diego, United States. Elbit: public. Shield AI: Established. Elbit is named in 2 signals and Shield AI in 46.

Elbit →

Haifa, Haifa District, Israel · Robotics · Systems / Defense & security · public · elbitsystems.com

Elbit Systems develops and sells unmanned defense systems, including aerial, ground and other autonomous platforms used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and combat missions.

Robotics 100 · rank 40 · score 84Space · watchlist · score 48

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment8
Production8
Commercials10
Progress8
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Elbit Systems is an Israeli defense contractor (Nasdaq/TASE:ESLT) whose Hermes UAS family, UGVs, and autonomous systems sit inside its Aerospace and Land segments; group Q2-26 revenue was $2,287M (+15.9%) against a record $32.0B backlog (73% ex-Israel). Recent activity includes a ~$350M MBT upgrade contract (May 2026) and $370M+ in US CBP awards (July 2026), with Land segment revenue up 32%. Unmanned-specific revenue and orders are not broken out (group-scoped).

Latest signals

  • Elbit acquired Canadian autonomous underwater systems company ISE.Breaking Defense
  • Elbit received a $120 million contract to prototype combat smart goggles.MIT Technology Review

2 signals name Elbit.

Facts, with sources

  • FUSE autonomous systems operationally deployed with customers in Israel, the United States and Europeelbitsystems.com
  • Over 21,000 employeeselbitsystems.com
  • USD 2287100000elbitsystems.com

11 facts on file.

Shield AI →

San Diego, California, United States · Robotics · Systems / Defense & security · Established · shield.ai

Shield AI develops and deploys autonomous military aircraft and drones, including V-BAT and X-BAT, for ISR and other defense missions. Its systems also support counter-drone operations through Tracker C-UAS.

Robotics 100 · rank 77 · score 80Space · watchlist · score 61AI Core · watchlist · score 59

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment6
Production6
Commercials8
Progress10
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Shield AI is a US defense-autonomy company whose V-BAT drone is deployed with the Coast Guard, Netherlands, Romania, Indonesia, and Japan, with ~$300M revenue in the year ending March 2025 and guidance above $540M for FY26 (+80%). It raised a $1.5B Series G at a $12.7B valuation in March 2026, had its Hivemind software selected for the Air Force CCA program (running on General Atomics and Anduril airframes), and won a $198M Coast Guard IDIQ at 100% on KPPs. An Aechelon acquisition is pending, and it has a GE Aerospace engine partnership.

Latest signals

  • Shield AI unveiled the X-BAT vertical-takeoff drone prototype.Golem
  • The U.S. Navy committed another $150 million to Shield AI’s autonomous X-BAT fighter drone.The Register
  • Shield AI matched the US Navy’s additional $150 million commitment to X-BAT.The Register

46 signals name Shield AI.

Facts, with sources

  • [object Object]Shield AI
  • USD 500000000The Robot Report
  • Shield AI named X-BAT the Official Autonomous Aircraft of America’s GameShield AI

29 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Elbit or Shield AI: which is ahead in robotics?

Elbit ranks 40 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 84; Shield AI ranks 77 with 80. Elbit is ahead on deployment, production and commercials. Shield AI is ahead on progress. Level on technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. Elbit is based in Haifa, Israel, Shield AI in San Diego, United States. Elbit: public. Shield AI: Established. Elbit is named in 2 signals and Shield AI in 46.

How do Elbit and Shield AI compare?

Elbit ranks 40 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 84; Shield AI ranks 77 with 80. Elbit is ahead on deployment, production and commercials. Shield AI is ahead on progress. Level on technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. Elbit is based in Haifa, Israel, Shield AI in San Diego, United States. Elbit: public. Shield AI: Established. Elbit is named in 2 signals and Shield AI in 46. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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