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American defence company Shield AI has unveiled their X-BAT artificial intelligence-piloted, vertical take-off and landing fighter jet designed for expeditionary and maritime operations in contested environments.
The unmanned aircraft will reportedly use the company’s Hivemind AI-enabled autonomy software to allow it to autonomously penetrate contested battlespace, dynamically team with manned aircraft, and execute collaborative tactics without constant communications.
“At Shield AI, we believe the greatest victory requires no war. To make that belief real, we’re executing a simple but ambitious master plan: prove the value of autonomy, scale it across domains and reimagine airpower,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI co-founder and president and former Navy SEAL.
“X-BAT represents the next part of that plan, expanding US and allied warfighting capacity through a transformative, runway-independent aircraft.
“Airpower without runways is the holy grail of deterrence. It gives our forces persistence, reach and survivability, and it buys diplomacy another day.”
The aircraft was unveiled at an event in Washington DC before an audience of military leaders, elected officials and industry partners. X-BAT is envisioned to become a combat aircraft purpose-built for distributed, high-end conflict, providing survivability, flexibility and affordability.
“X-BAT is a revolution in airpower because it combines four things – VTOL, range, multi-role capability and autonomy,” said Armor Harris, senior vice president of aircraft at Shield AI.
“VTOL plus range solves survivability on the ground and dependency on tankers. Multi-role provides critical flexibility as the threat evolves, because no plan survives first contact with the enemy.
“X-BAT’s ability to autonomously operate standalone or collaboratively allows it to project power when other assets aren’t around and simplifies kill chains.”
Key capabilities include VTOL and long-range capability with a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles with full mission payload, enabling theatre-scale operations from ships, islands and austere sites.
It is also expected to perform in a multi-role capacity for strike, counter air, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Up to three X–BATs fit in the deck space of one legacy fighter or helicopter.
In addition, Shield AI has announced that the X-BAT will have autonomy, adaptive tactics and signature management to enable mission success in contested environments, as well as the ability to operate in denied, degraded and communications-limited conditions, collaborating as a digital wingman.
X-BAT’s platform-agnostic design is also expected to integrate with current and future air force and navy concepts, enabling scalable, distributed combat mass.
