Active Development Provisional Patent Filed 2025 SBIR Phase I Candidate SAM.gov Registered · UEI Active DODD 3000.09 Configurable Autonomy NIJ HG2 Target Rating Veteran-Owned Small Business Alexandria, Virginia · DoD / DHS Active Development Provisional Patent Filed 2025 SBIR Phase I Candidate SAM.gov Registered · UEI Active DODD 3000.09 Configurable Autonomy NIJ HG2 Target Rating Veteran-Owned Small Business Alexandria, Virginia · DoD / DHS
Active Development · Alexandria, VA

AutonomousBallisticProtection

The R1-Pro deploys AI-triggered ballistic barriers for forward operating bases, critical infrastructure, and tactical entry points — faster than any human can respond.

<100ms
Deploy Time
NIJ HG2
Target Rating
2×3m
Coverage Area
0
Mechanical Hinges
R1-Pro · System Specs Active Development
System
R1-Pro
Mount
Ceiling / Zero-Footprint
Deploy
<100ms
Coverage
2m × 3m
Protection
NIJ HG2 Target
AI
Edge — No Cloud
Actuation
CO₂ Propellant
Hinges
None
Autonomy
3-Tier Configurable
Housing
IP65 Rated
SBIR
Phase I Candidate
Patent
Provisional Filed 2025
The Gap

The Problem With Every Other System

Every competing platform detects a threat and routes it to a human. That chain has a cost measured in seconds — and casualties.

Every Competing System
Detects.
Alerts.
Waits.
ZeroEyesOmnilertKnightscope AGDARES SecurityCarried Shields
R1-Pro
Detects.
Deploys.
Done.
Edge AI — No CloudNo Human LoopWorks Denied Comms
Every other system tells you there's a threat. The R1-Pro stops it — with no operations center, no human verification, no response chain. Threat classification and barrier deployment complete in under 100 milliseconds.
Autonomy Architecture · DODD 3000.09 Aligned

Configurable Autonomy Tiers

The R1-Pro is not a single operating mode — it is a configurable autonomy platform. Commanders select the tier that matches mission environment, rules of engagement, and force protection posture.

Policy Context · DODD 3000.09
DoD Directive 3000.09 requires that autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems be designed to allow commanders to exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force. The R1-Pro is engineered from the ground up as a configurable platform — not a fixed autonomous system — allowing program offices and commanders to select the autonomy mode appropriate to their environment, authority, and rules of engagement.
T1
Full Autonomous
Autonomous Deploy
The system detects a qualifying threat, classifies it on-device, and deploys the barrier without any human action. Designed for environments where human response is impossible — denied communications, unmanned positions, or where reaction time is the mission-critical variable.
AI threat detection
On-device classification
Autonomous barrier deploy
Human action not required
Primary use
Forward Operating Bases · Denied Comms · Unmanned Fixed Positions · FPV Drone Defense
T2
Human on the Loop
Supervised Deploy
The system detects, classifies, and initiates deployment automatically — but a designated operator can abort within a configurable intervention window. Autonomous speed with a supervisory override for environments where human oversight is required by ROE or policy.
AI threat detection
On-device classification
Operator abort window (configurable)
Deploy if not aborted
Primary use
Federal Facilities · Law Enforcement · Installations with Active Command Staff
T3
Human in the Loop
Authorized Deploy
The system detects and classifies the threat and presents a deploy recommendation to an operator. The human makes the final deployment decision. Retains the full speed advantage of AI detection and classification — only the actuation step requires human authorization.
AI threat detection
On-device classification
Operator deploy authorization
Deploy on command
Primary use
Critical Infrastructure · DHS / CISA Facilities · High-Consequence Fixed Sites
Key Point
All three tiers run the same edge AI detection and classification pipeline — the difference is where in the actuation sequence human authority is applied. The R1-Pro delivers AI-speed threat awareness in every mode, regardless of autonomy tier selected. The platform is procurable across a wide range of DoD and DHS programs without requiring policy exceptions.
R1-Pro System Architecture

Patent-Protected Innovations

A provisional patent covers the integrated system innovations that together create the first autonomous ballistic barrier with no mechanical hinges, no cloud dependency, and no human-in-the-loop requirement. Full technical details available under NDA.

01 · Ballistic Structure
Proprietary Composite Barrier
The R1-Pro barrier is a continuous high-performance composite structure engineered without mechanical hinges or fabric membranes. Deployment capability is intrinsic to the material — fold performance is a function of the composite design, not attached hardware.
ArchitectureProprietary composite
HingesNone
DetailsNDA required
PatentFiled 2025
02 · Deployment Geometry
Precision Deployment System
The R1-Pro deploys via a proprietary geometry that provides single-motion, fully predictable deployment from compact stowed form to a 2m×3m protective surface. Every deployment is geometrically identical — enabling reliable autonomous actuation with no manual intervention or adjustment.
Coverage2m × 3m deployed
StowedCompact ceiling cassette
ActuationSingle-motion
DetailsNDA required
03 · Actuation
CO₂ Propellant Deploy
Barrier deployment is powered by a CO₂ propellant system — providing the pneumatic force required for sub-100ms actuation without electrical motors or mechanical linkages in the deployment path. The system operates independently of building power and functions in communications-denied environments.
PropellantCO₂
Deploy time<100ms
Power dep.None for actuation
DetailsNDA required
04 · Floor Interface
Proprietary Floor Interface System
The deployed barrier engages floor anchor points via a proprietary floor interface system integrated flush with the installation surface. The interface is visually indistinguishable from the surrounding floor when the system is stowed — maintaining zero visual signature in standby. Passive engagement requires no additional power at full extension.
Stowed sig.None — flush surface
EngagementPassive — no power req.
FootprintZero — ceiling only
DetailsNDA required
05 · AI System
Edge AI Autonomous Deployment
Threat classification runs entirely on-device — no cloud dependency, no network latency, no operations center. The full pipeline from detection through actuation completes in under 100ms. The AI classifies threat behavior, not just object presence, reducing false positives in environments where weapons are routinely present.
Pipeline<100ms end-to-end
DependencyNone — fully edge
Human loopConfigurable (T1/T2/T3)
ClassificationBehavior-based
06 · Housing
Ceiling-Mount Zero-Footprint
The housing unit mounts flush to the ceiling — no floor space consumed, no visual signature when stowed. IP65-rated housing suitable for indoor and semi-exposed environments. No structural modification required beyond ceiling mount points and floor interface installation.
MountCeiling — flush
HousingIP65-rated
Stowed sig.None visible
InstallMinimal modification
07 · Certification
NIJ HG2 Target Certification (formerly IIIA)
The R1-Pro is designed to achieve NIJ Standard-0101.07 Level HG2 ballistic protection — the current designation for what was formerly classified as NIJ Level IIIA. Formal certification testing through an accredited ballistic test laboratory is planned for Phase II following prototype validation.
StandardNIJ-0101.07 HG2
TestingPhase II planned
LabAccredited ballistic lab
Competitive Analysis

No Existing System Does All Three

The R1-Pro is the only system that combines configurable autonomous AI deployment, hinge-free composite ballistic protection, and a ceiling-mount zero-footprint form factor.

SystemDetects ThreatAlerts HumanPhysical ResponseBallistic ProtectionAutonomous DeployWorks Denied Comms
ZeroEyes✓ Vision AI✓ Human verified✕ None
Omnilert✓ Vision AI✓ Human verified✕ None
Knightscope AGD✓ Acoustic✓ Automated— Robots only
ARES Security✓ Multi-sensor✓ Automated— Access control
Hand-Carried Shields✓ Human-carried✓ NIJ HG2✓ No dependency
R1-Pro✓ Edge AI— Configurable✓ Ballistic barrier✓ NIJ HG2 Target✓ T1 / T2 / T3✓ No dependency
01
Configurable Human Role
Three selectable autonomy tiers — full autonomous, human on the loop, or human in the loop — allow commanders to match the system's operating mode to their ROE, policy environment, and force protection posture. Same hardware, configurable authority.
02
No Network Dependency
ZeroEyes, Omnilert, and Knightscope all require cloud connectivity or an operations center. The R1-Pro runs its complete threat classification pipeline on-device. In a communications-denied environment — a jammed FOB, a hardened facility under attack — the R1-Pro continues operating normally.
03
No Mechanical Hinges
Every deployable ballistic system uses mechanical hinges or fabric membranes. Hinges are the failure point — they jam, corrode, and break under impact. The R1-Pro's fold capability is intrinsic to the composite material itself. No hinges means no mechanical failure modes.
04
Zero Floor Footprint
Hand-carried shields require a human to be present. Floor-standing barriers consume space and create visual signature. The R1-Pro mounts flush to the ceiling — invisible when stowed, consuming zero floor space, deployable instantly from any position in the protected area.
05
Denied Comms Operation
Forward operating bases operate under communications degradation in peer conflict. GPS jamming, RF denial, network disruption — none of these affect the R1-Pro. The system has no external dependencies that an adversary can disrupt.
06
Patent-Protected Platform
Provisional patent filed September 2025 covering the integrated system innovations underlying the R1-Pro. Utility patent filing planned before September 2026. IP position covers both the fixed installation and man-portable trench variants.
Mission Profiles

Designed for High-Threat Environments

The R1-Pro addresses the critical gap between detection and protection — the seconds between threat identification and human response where casualties occur.

01 · Primary
Primary
Forward Operating Bases
Autonomous barrier deployment at entry control points, TOC corridors, and personnel shelters. Activates on AI-detected threat signature without requiring human response. Operates in communications-denied environments where cloud-dependent systems fail.
DoDU.S. ArmyUSMCSOCOMTier 1
02 · Primary
Primary
FPV Drone Fragmentation Defense
Force protection against low-altitude FPV drone threats at entry control points and fixed personnel positions. Autonomous deployment from multi-sensor threat detection. No existing fixed-position system provides autonomous protection at the dismounted squad level.
Army Futures CommandPEO SoldierC-sUASTier 1
03 · Secondary
Secondary
Critical Infrastructure
Hardening of electrical substations, government facilities, data centers, and command nodes against ballistic threats. Ceiling-mounted, invisible until needed. No floor space consumed. Compatible with existing physical security infrastructure.
DHSCISAFederal FacilitiesTier 2/3
04 · Secondary
Secondary
Tactical Entry Points
Corridor and doorway protection for law enforcement operations and federal facilities. NIJ HG2 protection across the full deployment surface with no manual activation required.
Law EnforcementFederalCapitol PoliceUSSSTier 2/3
05 · Emerging
Emerging
Man-Portable Trench Variant
Soldier-carried autonomous deployable fighting position shield for trench and close combat. Under 8kg stowed. Emplaces in under 2 minutes. AI fusion detects incoming FPV drones and deploys overhead fragmentation protection autonomously. Phase II development roadmap.
InfantryMIL-STD-810H DesignPhase II
06 · Emerging
Emerging
Allied Forces & FMS
Foreign Military Sales potential for NATO allies and partner nations facing FPV drone threats. Ukraine theater data confirms the tactical requirement. Edge AI architecture — no cloud, no network dependency — makes the R1-Pro suitable for denied communications environments.
NATO AlliesFMSUkraineIsrael
About Guardian Shield AI

Built by Veterans. Built for The Gap.

Guardian Shield AI was founded by a U.S. Army veteran with direct operational knowledge of ballistic threats, protective systems, and the gap between when a threat is identified and when personnel are actually protected.

That gap — measured in seconds — is where casualties happen. The R1-Pro exists to close it. By combining AI-driven threat detection with autonomous barrier deployment, the system responds faster than any human operator, with no dependence on personnel being in position or making a decision under fire.

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, Guardian Shield AI is positioned at the center of the defense technology ecosystem — adjacent to DoD, DHS, DARPA, and the Northern Virginia defense contractor corridor. The company is currently in the patent and proof-of-concept phase, seeking DoD and DHS SBIR funding.

The R1-Pro is the first product in a platform roadmap that includes a man-portable trench variant for dismounted FPV drone defense — addressing the primary casualty mechanism in near-peer conflict identified from Ukraine theater data.

We are not building a better alert system. We are building the first system that detects a threat and stops it — without waiting for a human to act.

Company Status
EntityVirginia LLC — Formed 2025
EINReceived
SAM.govRegistered — UEI Confirmed
PatentProvisional Filed Sept 2025
Utility FilingBefore Sept 2026
SBIRPhase I Candidate
OwnershipVeteran-Owned Small Business
R&D Status
Barrier SystemFabrication & Testing — Active
CO₂ ActuationIntegration — Active
Edge AI PipelineDevelopment
NIJ HG2 Cert.Phase II Planned
● Accepting Briefing Requests

Request a Technical Briefing

All technical materials — including full system specifications, autonomy architecture details, patent status, and R&D progress — are provided under NDA upon request. Available for DoD and DHS program offices, defense-focused investors, and manufacturing partners.

LocationAlexandria, Virginia
NDAAvailable on Request
SAM.govRegistered — UEI Active
PatentProvisional Filed Sept 2025
X / Twitter@GS_AI_LLC
Defense-Focused Investors
Composite Manufacturing Partners
Ballistic Testing Collaboration
Briefing Request Form
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