GE Aerospace and Shield AI to collaborate on propulsion for X‑BAT vehicle program

Summary Points:

• GE Aerospace and Shield AI are collaborating via an MOU to equip X‑BAT with the F110‑GE‑129 engine and AVEN nozzle.
• X‑BAT is an AI‑piloted VTOL designed for contested and austere environments and can operate independently or as a wingman for crewed aircraft.
• Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software enables GPS‑ and communications‑denied operations.

CINCINNATI - GE Aerospace in Cincinnati and Shield AI in San Diego have agreed to collaborate on propulsion technologies for Shield AI’s new X‑BAT vehicle program. Under a memorandum of understanding, the F110‑GE‑129 engine, featuring the advanced Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN), has been selected to power the X‑BAT. GE Aerospace will provide propulsion and testing support for the program. The AVEN nozzle for X‑BAT provides thrust‑vectoring capability for vertical flight and enhanced maneuverability in horizontal flight.

Unveiled on 21 October in Washington, D.C., X‑BAT is an artificial intelligence (AI)‑piloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle engineered for contested and austere environments. Powered by Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, X‑BAT delivers scalable, survivable combat mass and can operate independently or as a "drone wingman."

Shield AI has disclosed that X‑BAT measures roughly 26 ft in length with a wingspan of about 39 ft, can reach a service ceiling near 50,000 ft, and has a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles. Its internal weapons bay and external hardpoints support multiple munitions, and its VTOL design allows operations from ships, trailers, or austere forward bases. The airframe incorporates stealth‑oriented features to reduce detection, and the Hivemind autonomy stack enables operation in GPS‑ or communications‑denied environments. First VTOL flight is expected in 2026, with full mission capability projected by 2028.

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"GE Aerospace’s F110 engine is one of the most successful and reliable fighter engines in history and has the operability characteristics that X‑BAT’s VTOL design demands. GE Aerospace has been a great partner, and we are excited by the potential of our combined team," said Armor Harris, senior vice president of aircraft engineering at Shield AI.