Shield AI has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-driven uncrewed fighter, named **X-BAT**. This fighter is capable of vertical takeoffs and landings, and the company claims it could signify a new era in military combat aircraft and enhance the drone wingmen concept.
The X-BAT is designed for **expeditionary and maritime operations** in contested environments, employing Shield AI’s **Hivemind software** as its autonomous core, according to a statement released on Wednesday. This drone’s ability to deliver combat capabilities without the requirement of runways is anticipated to revolutionize how U.S. and allied air forces conduct air warfare.
Brandon Tseng, co-founder and president of Shield AI, remarked, “Airpower without runways is the holy grail of deterrence.” He emphasized that this capability provides military forces with increased persistence, reach, and survivability, contributing to a strategic advantage in diplomacy.
Equipped with Hivemind, the X-BAT can engage in **collaborative tactics** alongside manned aircraft without the need for constant communication. This technology facilitates its role as a **drone wingman**, also referred to by the Air Force as a **Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)**, or enable it to operate independently.
The U.S. Air Force has utilized Hivemind technology with its **X-62A VISTA** jet, an experimental modified F-16 capable of autonomous flight and dogfighting, which was piloted by former Air Force Secretary **Frank Kendall** in May 2024.
The X-BAT boasts a range of over **2,000 nautical miles** while fully armed, suitable for conducting strike operations from ships, islands, or unprepared sites. The drone can carry out various missions, including strike, counter-air operations, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks.
**Armor Harris**, senior vice president of aircraft at Shield AI, described the X-BAT as a “revolution in airpower” due to its combination of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), range, autonomy, and multirole capabilities. Harris elaborated on the advantages of VTOL, indicating it enhances survivability and reduces dependency on aerial tankers, while its multirole capability allows it to adapt to evolving threats.
Although Shield AI has not disclosed the acquisition cost of the X-BAT, they stated it would be significantly cheaper than fifth-generation jets, marking it as both affordable and “attritable.” This term indicates that the military could deploy the aircraft in missions without incurring substantial costs from losing one.
The Air Force emphasizes that affordability and attritability are critical for its CCA program, striving to achieve operational capability without exceeding budget constraints — a strategy referred to as “affordable mass.” Moreover, the Air Force distinguishes its CCAs as drones designed to undertake fighter missions, with respective designations beginning with YFQ.
Additionally, Shield AI noted that the X-BAT is compact, allowing as many as three units to occupy the footprint typically required by one legacy fighter or helicopter. The drone’s design is described as “platform agnostic,” meaning it could seamlessly integrate with both current and future Air Force and Navy systems.
**Stephen Losey** is the air warfare reporter for Defense News, previously covering leadership, personnel issues at Air Force Times, and various military operations and news at Military.com.
