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Shield AI Advances X-BAT Toward Late-2026 Flight Tests

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 7:48 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Shield AI is moving its X-BAT VTOL drone toward flight testing.
The program has $400 million funding: $150 million Navy, $150 million Shield AI, $50 million RIMES match.
X-BAT prototype flight testing is slated for late 2026, with mission capability expected in 2028.
Britain’s Royal Navy is evaluating X-BAT for Project VANQUISH, aiming for carrier demonstrations by end of next year.

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Story summary

Shield AI is moving its X-BAT VTOL drone toward flight testing.
The program has $400 million funding: $150 million Navy, $150 million Shield AI, $50 million RIMES match.
X-BAT prototype flight testing is slated for late 2026, with mission capability expected in 2028.
Britain’s Royal Navy is evaluating X-BAT for Project VANQUISH, aiming for carrier demonstrations by end of next year.