StoryManufacturing
Shield AI picks Newton, Kansas, for an X-BAT flight-test facility
Shield AI selected Newton City-County Airport in Kansas for an X-BAT flight-test facility, starting with 10,000 sq ft of leased space and three acres of undeveloped land. The facility will serve as X-BAT's flight-test and sustainment home, with every aircraft completing production acceptance testing before delivery.
- Newton City-County Airport: 16,000 sq ft hangar + 3 acres, 5-year lease at $90k/year.
- X-Forge 2 serves as flight test and MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) center.
- Every X-BAT completes production testing in Newton before delivery.
- Projects 9,800 jobs by early 2030s; $78B economic impact through 2046.