On 21 October 2025, Shield AI unveiled X-BAT, described as the world’s first AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet. The program positions vertical takeoff, long-range reach, and full autonomy at the center of a new concept of airpower designed for dispersed, runway-independent operations. With an emphasis on mobility, survivability, and multi-mission flexibility, the announcement signals a shift in how combat aviation could be generated and sustained at scale. The reveal matters for forces confronting anti-access threats and for militaries seeking combat aviation options untethered from fixed airbases. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| The unveiling of X-BAT presents an unambiguous proposition: deliver fighter-class effects where runways are absent, at ranges that matter, with autonomy as the default mode (Picture Source: Shield AI) |