Shield AI Unveils New AI-Piloted Fighter Jet Model

The X-BAT is the evolution of Shield AI's smaller, operational V-BAT drone. The V-BAT is a Group 3 UAS (under 1,320 lbs) that has been deployed by the U.S. Navy, Marines, and in Ukraine, proving resilient to electronic warfare. In contrast, the X-BAT is a much larger Group 5 system, placing it in the same class as major unmanned aircraft like the Predator, and it's designed for supersonic flight. At the core of the X-BAT is Hivemind, Shield AI's AI pilot software. Hivemind is designed to enable autonomous operations without GPS or communications, allowing aircraft to navigate, identify targets, and coordinate with other assets in denied environments. This same AI pilot has been tested on multiple platforms, from quadcopters to F-16s, and is the key to enabling the X-BAT to act as a collaborative combat aircraft, or "loyal wingman," alongside crewed fighters. Shield AI was co-founded in 2015 by former Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng and his brother, Ryan Tseng. Brandon's combat experiences in Afghanistan, where he saw the need for technology that could provide intelligence without risking human lives, directly inspired the company's mission. The firm has attracted over $1 billion in funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz and has secured major contracts with the U.S. Air Force, Special Operations Command, and international allies. The X-BAT's design features a stealthy, tailless flying-wing airframe with folding wings, allowing it to be transported and launched from a truck-mounted trailer in minutes. It boasts a projected range of over 2,000 nautical miles and a service ceiling above 50,000 feet. For offensive missions, it includes an internal weapons bay and external hardpoints capable of carrying air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions.