Shield AI X-BAT
VTOL
Shield AI X-BAT is an AI-piloted VTOL combat aircraft being developed for runway-independent operations. The platform is designed for air-to-air, air-to-surface, electronic warfare, and ISR missions, with the ability to operate from ships, islands, and austere forward locations without relying on conventional runway infrastructure.
X-BAT uses Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software and is being developed to operate independently or alongside crewed and uncrewed platforms. According to official data, it has a maximum range of more than 2,000 nautical miles, a service ceiling above 50,000 feet, and a wingspan of 39 feet. Its internal weapons bays can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, while external stations support larger strike weapons.
X-BAT / AVEN integration test ↗ — Shield AI and GE Aerospace completed integration, actuation and engine light-off testing of the AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle integrated with X-BAT?s F110-GE-129E engine.
Systems
- •Autonomy (Hivemind AI Pilot)
- •VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing)
- •Engine (GE Aerospace F110-GE-129E)
- •Thrust Vectoring (AVEN)
- •Open Systems Architecture
- •Distributed Operations (Runway Independent)
Sensors
- •Active Radar Modes
- •Passive Radar Modes
- •ISR Sensors
- •Electronic Warfare Mission Systems
Compatible weapons
- •Air-to-Air Weapons
- •Air-to-Surface Weapons
- •Internal Weapons up to 2,000-lb Class
Official manufacturer source
No official manufacturer link recorded