X-BAT is an AI-piloted vertical takeoff and landing fighter aircraft developed by Shield AI with U.S. Navy funding totalling $400 million. The runway-independent unmanned system is intended for maritime strike operations, with a full-scale prototype scheduled to roll out by end of October and Navy early-capability target of 2029.
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Airframe / lift type | VTOL hybrid – tailsitter |
| Control / autonomy level | Fully autonomous (human-off-the-loop, AI-navigated), Swarm / cooperative |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Turbine / jet |
| Range / endurance | Long range (>650 km) |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-denied capable, RCS – medium, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High-speed / jet (>400 km/h) |
| Weight / class | Class III – Strike / Combat (>600 kg) |
| Confidence | low |