国防初创公司Shield AI计划筹集超过10亿美元，用于资助其最新自主战斗机的生产，首席执行官Gary Steele表示。
Defense startup Shield AI plans to raise more than $1 billion to fund the production of its latest autonomous fighter jet, Chief Executive Officer Gary Steele said.
Steele在周二于伦敦举行的彭博科技活动上表示，该公司开发自主飞行系统，亦将通过进一步收购来实现增长战略。
The company, which develops autonomous flight systems, will also make further acquisitions as part of its growth strategy, Steele said, speaking at the Bloomberg Tech event in London on Tuesday.
首席执行官在舞台上展示了X-BAT飞行器的模型，该机设计为垂直起降，无需跑道。Steele说：“可能在明年初，我们将筹集资金以支持该喷气机的生产。”
The CEO showed off a model on stage of the X-BAT craft, which is designed to take off and land vertically without using a runway. “Likely at the beginning part of next year, we will raise capital to support the production of the jet,” said Steele.
他补充说，在Shield AI收购开发战术仿真软件的Aechelon Technology Inc.后，还将达成更多交易，该软件可让军方训练飞行员并测试先进飞机和自主系统。
He added that there would be further deals after Shield AI acquired Aechelon Technology Inc., which develops tactical simulation software that allows militaries to train pilots and test advanced aircraft and autonomous systems.
Steele表示：“我们专注于寻找我们认为对客户有益的优秀并购。”
“We focus on finding great acquisitions that we think could be great for our customers,” Steele said.
Steele称，Shield AI为美国及其盟友军队提供服务，已在乌克兰运营了两年半左右，现场约有30名员工。
Shield AI, which serves the US and allied militaries, has been operating in Ukraine for the last two-and-a-half years and has about 30 employees on the ground, Steele said.
他补充说，公司设法规避了埃隆·马斯克的Starlink卫星通信服务在该国最近的限制。Steele说：“我们假设始终受到干扰。”
He added that the company managed to engineer around recent restrictions by Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service in the country. “We assume that we’re always jammed,” he said.
随着全球各国政府加大国防支出，投资者正涌入防务初创企业。Shield AI在三月份筹得20亿美元，估值达127亿美元，较一年前的估值翻了一倍多。
Investors are piling into defense startups as governments around the world ramp up defense spending. Shield AI raised $2 billion at a valuation of $12.7 billion in March, more than doubling its value from a year prior.