Overview
- Shield AI and GE Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Nov. 6 selecting the F110-GE-129 with the AVEN nozzle for X-BAT and assigning GE propulsion and testing support.
- The AVEN axisymmetric nozzle provides thrust vectoring to enable vertical takeoff and landing and is described as improving maneuverability in horizontal flight.
- GE highlights more than 11 million flight hours and four decades of production for the F110 as a risk-reduction measure for integrating a VTOL configuration.
- Shield AI describes X-BAT as an AI-piloted combat aircraft using Hivemind autonomy to operate in communications-limited environments and to team with piloted jets.
- The aircraft remains in development with VTOL demonstrations targeted for 2026 and broader flight testing and operational validation in 2028, with performance claims not yet flight-validated.