Draft:Shield AI X-BAT

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• Comment: Even the LLM thinks this is WP:TOOSOON —pythoncoder (talk | contribs) 04:41, 17 December 2025 (UTC)

X-BAT is a proposed autonomous, fighter-class unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) under development by the U.S. defense technology company Shield AI. The aircraft is designed to combine advanced artificial intelligence–based autonomy with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, allowing operations without traditional runways. X-BAT has been presented as a potential platform for long-range strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and collaborative operations alongside crewed fighter aircraft.

Shield AI publicly revealed the X-BAT concept in October 2025 through briefings and media demonstrations. At the time of unveiling, the company displayed a scale model of the aircraft rather than a flying prototype. According to Shield AI, X-BAT is intended to address operational challenges posed by contested environments where runways, satellite navigation, and continuous communications may be unavailable or degraded.^[1]

The program builds on Shield AI’s prior work integrating its autonomy software into a range of military platforms, including high-performance aircraft used for autonomy testing. X-BAT is positioned as a purpose-built airframe designed from inception to operate with a fully autonomous onboard pilot rather than as a converted crewed aircraft.^[2]

X-BAT is described as a Group 5 unmanned aircraft, placing it in the largest class of military drones. The design emphasizes low observable shaping and internal volume for fuel and mission systems. A defining feature of the aircraft is its vertical takeoff and landing capability, which would allow deployment from austere locations such as ships, remote islands, or forward operating bases.^[3]

Shield AI has stated that the aircraft is planned to use a fighter-class jet engine, with concepts including thrust vectoring to support VTOL operations. Final propulsion details and engine selection have not been publicly confirmed.^[4]

The company has indicated that X-BAT is designed for long-range operations, with an estimated range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles depending on mission configuration. The aircraft is expected to support a mix of internal weapons bays and external hardpoints, as well as modular payload bays for sensors or electronic warfare equipment.^[5][6]

X-BAT is intended to be flown by Hivemind, Shield AI’s artificial intelligence–based autonomous pilot software. Hivemind is designed to enable aircraft to operate with minimal or no human input, particularly in environments where communications or GPS signals are denied.^[7]

According to the company, the autonomy system is meant to allow X-BAT to conduct complex missions, adapt to changing conditions in flight, and coordinate with other air and ground assets. Shield AI has also suggested that the platform could be compatible with autonomy software developed by other vendors, depending on customer requirements.^[8]

Shield AI has described X-BAT as suitable for a wide range of missions, including strike and counter-air operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and operations as a collaborative or "loyal wingman" aircraft supporting crewed fighters.^[9]

The aircraft has been presented as part of broader military efforts to field autonomous systems that can reduce risk to human pilots while increasing operational flexibility and persistence.^[10]

As of its public unveiling in 2025, X-BAT had not yet conducted flight testing. Shield AI indicated plans for initial vertical takeoff and landing tests in the mid-to-late 2020s, with more extensive flight testing and operational demonstrations to follow. Any potential production or operational deployment would depend on successful testing and future customer interest.^[11]

• Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
• Collaborative combat aircraft
• Shield AI

This article describes a proposed and developmental aircraft. Specifications and timelines are subject to change.

"Exclusive first look at Shield AI's X-BAT, an AI-piloted fighter drone". CNBC. October 21, 2025.

"Shield AI unveils X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter jet". Defense News. October 24, 2025.

"Shield AI reveals X-BAT drone fighter". Breaking Defense. October 2025.

"Meet world's first AI fighter jet which requires neither pilot nor runway to fly". India.com. 2025.