The sponsorship links a defense-tech firm directly to the service academies it aims to support. Brandon Tseng, Shield AI president and a 2008 Naval Academy graduate, noted that the partnership reflects the company’s internal culture, where veterans and service academy alumni make up a significant portion of the workforce. The X-BAT system, designed for expeditionary operations in contested maritime environments, offers a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles without requiring a runway.

Athletic directors from both West Point and the Naval Academy characterized the partnership as a logical alignment of values. Tom Theodorakis of Army West Point and Michael Kelly of the U.S. Naval Academy emphasized the role of such technology in preparing future military leaders. Shield AI joins a roster of existing partners, including USAA, Chevrolet, and Palantir, for the event. The company plans to host fan experiences and programming throughout the week leading up to the game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.