American defense firm Shield AI announced that total US government funding and company investment in the X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter drone has reached $400 million. The US Navy's new $150 million commitment adds to earlier funding under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program, which previously contributed $50 million and was matched by the company. Shield AI is investing an additional $150 million of its own capital.
The X-BAT is a tail-sitter aircraft, 26 feet long with a 39-foot wingspan, designed to take off vertically, transition to level flight, and land vertically on its launcher. Shield AI claims a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and expects supersonic capability. The drone is controlled by the company's Hivemind autonomy software, previously demonstrated in a modified F-16 that engaged in dogfights against human pilots.
"X-BAT is being built to enhance the lethality, survivability and combat power of US Naval Aviation," said J.J. "Yank" Cummings, a former naval officer and Shield AI's head of mission solutions for the US Navy. "We are designing it for safe, high-tempo manned-unmanned flight deck operations and integration with the missions and capabilities of the carrier air wing."
The aircraft can operate from vessels beyond traditional aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, including Expeditionary Sea Bases. Shield AI said its team has completed engine light-off and thrust-vectoring nozzle integration, and validated weapons bay aerodynamics in wind-tunnel testing.
The UK's Royal Navy is also pursuing combat drones for its Queen Elizabeth-class carriers under Project VANQUISH. According to the UK Defence Journal, the Royal Navy aims to conduct demonstration flights from a carrier by the end of next year, and X-BAT could be a candidate for that program.