01note2026-11-06
$400 Million for the X-BAT Unmanned Fighter Before It Flies: Shield AI's Track Record (opens in a new tab)
Shield AI has secured $400 million in funding for its AI-piloted X-BAT unmanned fighter, which takes off and lands vertically without a runway. The first full-scale prototype was completed in November 2026, with flight tests scheduled by year-end, though the aircraft has not yet flown. The U.S. Navy and Shield AI are funding development in stages, targeting initial operational capability by 2029. The company’s smaller V-BAT drone is already in use by the U.S. Coast Guard, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Ukraine, supporting its credibility.