The company “Shield AI”, based in San Diego, USA, unveiled a new aircraft called “X-BAT”, which is the first fighter in the world to take off vertically and piloted by an “intelligent pilot” that relies on artificial intelligence techniques, in a step described as a qualitative shift in air defense technology.
The aircraft has a range of up to 2,000 miles, can fly independently without the need for runways or ground support, and can operate efficiently even in the event of communications interference or a failure of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Brandon Zeng, president and co-founder of SHIELD, said that the new fighter represents “air power without runways,” considering that it embodies “the ultimate goal of deterrence” on the modern battlefield.
The “X-BAT” is an advanced development of the “V-BAT” drone used by American forces in previous operations, but the new model features a larger design, an advanced jet engine, and the ability to carry missiles and electronic warfare systems, which places it in a new category of combat aircraft managed by artificial intelligence.
This announcement comes in light of an escalating global race to develop intelligent fighters that work alongside human pilots or within independent squadrons, as the US Department of Defense and its allies are moving to deploy “loyal aviation wings” that rely entirely on artificial intelligence.
Vertical take-off and landing tests are scheduled to begin in 2026, followed by full flight trials in 2028, while the price of the plane is expected to reach about 27 million dollars.
The most prominent innovation in this project is the “Hivemind” system, which the company developed based on Carnegie Mellon University research, which is a system that allows aircraft and ships to operate independently and coordinated even in environments where a GPS system is not available. The system demonstrated its ability after a fighter supported by its algorithms overtook an F-16 aircraft piloted by a human pilot in a simulation. Air combat over California.
