US defense technology company Shield AI has unveiled a jet-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft called the X-BAT, marking a major step beyond the small surveillance drones the San Diego-based startup is known for and signaling its entry into the realm of autonomous fighter jets.
The company revealed the concept in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2025, saying the aircraft will use Shield AI’s proprietary Hivemind artificial intelligence piloting software to fly and fight autonomously without human control or GPS guidance. Shield AI claims the X-BAT will offer a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles, a 50,000-foot service ceiling, and the ability to take off vertically from nearly any surface.
In a press release, Shield AI described…more
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