Shield AI Advances X-BAT Autonomous VTOL Fighter Drone

The program has attracted a total of $400 million in combined U.S. government funding and company investment. The Navy contributed an initial $50 million under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program, followed by a $150 million round through the Rapid Capability Cell, and the company is matching the latter with its own capital. Shield AI projects an early operational capability around 2029, contingent on meeting milestone-based payments outlined in the other-transaction agreement.

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The X-BAT is a 26-ft (7.92 m) long, 39-ft (11.9 m) wingspan tail-sitter that can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for runways. Shield AI claims a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and supersonic flight capability. The aircraft is designed for long-range strike missions and can operate from a variety of naval platforms, including amphibious assault ships, Expeditionary Sea Bases, and potentially the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers under the UK’s Project VANQUISH. Its autonomy is driven by Shield AI’s Hivemind software, previously demonstrated in a modified F-16 that engaged in dogfights against human pilots.

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Shield AI’s senior vice president of aircraft, Armor Harris, emphasized collaboration with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) as “the experts for naval aviation.” He noted that the Navy’s funding is structured around milestone achievements, with a follow-on phase possible if the program performs well. J.J. “Yank” Cummings, former naval officer and head of mission solutions for the U.S.

The Register UK

• “We've been building two prototype vehicles—they're full scale. The first one will be done in the next couple of weeks here,” — Armor Harris, Shield AI’s senior vice president of aircraft

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• “We really developed X-BAT in collaboration with NAVAIR and NAWCAD, which is the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division—the experts for naval aviation,” — Armor Harris, Shield AI’s senior vice president of aircraft

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• “There will be a follow-on phase in the future if Shield AI and X-BAT continue to perform well—all leading up to fielding an early operational capability in about 2029. So basically, the way that the OTA is structured is that there's milestone-based payments for Shield achieving specific objectives along the way,” — Armor Harris, Shield AI’s senior vice president of aircraft

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