Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that U.S. defense firm Shield AI has offered Poland an industrial role in its X-BAT autonomous uncrewed combat aircraft program and proposed the establishment of a regional F-16 engine sustainment hub in the country. This dual-track proposal aims to integrate Polish aerospace manufacturers into the early production cycle of runway-independent, next-generation combat assets before serial manufacturing begins. Simultaneously, the initiative seeks to establish a centralized European maintenance facility for the General Electric F110 engine family to support distributed NATO air operations on the eastern flank. Read full defense news at this link...
 |
| During Eurosatory 2026, Shield AI displayed a redesigned 45% scale model of the X-BAT, which abandoned the original cranked-kite planform and adopted a straight leading edge with greater sweep, producing a sharper arrowhead-shaped flying wing configuration. (Picture source: Army Recognition) |