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deployment2026-10-31 00:00 UTC🇺🇸 United States (U.S. Navy / Shield AI development and testing; specific test site not stated)
Shield AI to complete first X-BAT VTOL fighter-drone prototype by end of Oct 2026; flight tests planned by year-end
Shield AI says it will finish the first full-scale prototype of its jet-powered X-BAT tail-sitting VTOL uncrewed aircraft by the end of October 2026, with flight testing planned before the end of the year under the U.S. Navy RIMES program. The report also notes prior ground testing milestones, including engine light-off testing of the AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle.
DETAILS
Type
deployment
Occurred
2026-10-31 00:00
Reported
2026-10-08
Location
United States (U.S. Navy / Shield AI development and testing; specific test site not stated)
Coordinates
39.7837, -100.4459
Confidence
62 / 100
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
No damage reported; article describes prototype development, funding, and planned/ongoing testing milestones.
DRONES INVOLVED
SOURCES