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Uncrewed aircraft · Air

X-BAT

AI-piloted VTOL fighter aircraft under development for distributed operations.

by Shield AI · Unveiled Oct 2025

DevelopmentUncrewed aircraftAirUnveiledOct 2025
shield.ai/x-bat
Shield AI X-BAT display model mounted vertically at an exhibition booth.

Photo: Silkoreo / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph of an exhibition display model, not an operational aircraft. Resized and reencoded as WebP; derivatives retain CC BY-SA 4.0. Commons describes the photograph as the author’s own work at Eurosatory 2026.

Timeline1

  1. UnveiledReported

    Shield AI unveils X-BAT

    Shield AI announced X-BAT, a supersonic, vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed combat aircraft, positioned as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft contender.

    SourcesAir & Space Forces Magazine

Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Sources2

  1. 1.
    NewsA New Kind of CCA? Meet the Supersonic, Vertical Takeoff and Landing X-BAT

    Air & Space Forces Magazine · Oct 23, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “Shield AI has entered the increasingly crowded field of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, this week announcing its “X-BAT” vehicle”
  2. 2.
    CompanyShield AI

    Supports: System

    “With first VTOL flights scheduled for 2026 and mission capability by 2028”

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