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X-BAT
Photo: Silkoreo · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens commons.wikimedia.org)

X-BAT

by Shield AIUS

ResearchStage 1 of 5

In development, partly paid for by 2026 funding; exploring licensing with Polish industry.

Updated 2d agoChecked 25 Sep1 update this week

Milestones

Next · First flight
  1. X-BAT unveiledOct 2025Complete.
  2. First flightNot yet reached.

Most important updates

  • 2d ago
  • 20 Jul 2026
  • 29 Oct 2025
  • Oct 2025

Current obstacles

  • Landing a jet on its tailLanding a jet upright needs very precise engine steering at low speed, which has always been very hard.

Physics limits

  • Jet hover needs more thrust than the jet weighsTo lift off, thrust must exceed weight. An engine that big is oversized for cruise, and hovering on it burns fuel very fast, so time spent vertical directly cuts range and payload.
  • Hot, fast exhaust damages the ground belowJet exhaust at hundreds of degrees and near the speed of sound erodes asphalt, throws debris and can overheat ship decks, so landing pads need special surfaces.

How it works

3 parts
Not X-BAT: the 1950s Ryan X-13 Vertijet hovering on its jet, nose up, beside its launch trailer; X-BAT revives this tail-sitting jet idea
Not X-BAT: the 1950s Ryan X-13 Vertijet hovering on its jet, nose up, beside its launch trailer; X-BAT revives this tail-sitting jet ideaPublic domain (opens commons.wikimedia.org)
Vertical

Takes off standing on its tail

A fighter-class jet engine with a steerable nozzle points thrust down, so it rises tail-first, then pitches over into normal flight.

Fly

Hivemind is the pilot

Shield AI's Hivemind software flies and makes tactical decisions without a pilot aboard, under human command.

Base

No runway needed

Because it launches vertically it can work from ships, small islands or roads, the places long runways can't reach.

Update log

4 updates

Thu 8 Oct

  • Major: PressFunding

Mon 20 Jul

  • Major: BlogTest

Wed 29 Oct 2025

  • Minor: PressManufacturing

Oct 2025

  • Major: PressHardware

About Shield AI

The team behind X-BAT

Shield AI

Hivemind AI pilot, V-BAT, X-BAT

San Diego-based Shield AI builds Hivemind, AI software that flies aircraft without GPS or radio links; the V-BAT drone, which takes off on its tail; and X-BAT, an AI-flown combat jet unveiled in 2025.

  • V-BAT has been used operationally, including in Ukraine.
  • Unveiled X-BAT, an AI-flown fighter-size jet that takes off vertically, in October 2025.
  • Raised a $1.5B Series G at $12.7B plus $500M of preferred equity in March 2026.

shield.ai (opens shield.ai)Company profile →

Founded
201511 yrs
Headquarters
United States
Status
Private
Valuation
$13BprivateMar 2026
Raised
$1.7B2 rounds
Last round
Series G · $1.5BMar 2026$13B post
Works in
AviationMilitary drones & autonomyAI
Coverage
2 programs · 11 updateslatest 2d agochecked 25 Sep
Lead investors
Advent International
People
Ryan TsengCo-founderBrandon TsengCo-founder
Primer