At Eurosatory 2026, we look at the X-BAT Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by Shield AI. “Geeky,” Director of X-BAT Campaigns in Europe, joins us to discuss this recently revealed AI-piloted, supersonic, Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) fighter jet. In this video, we take a closer look at how this platform is relevant for naval operations from ships and how the project is progressing, with the first flight scheduled for the end of 2026 in Kansas. Key X-BAT Capabilities: • Runway-Free Operations: Designed to operate as a CCA without traditional runways, completely reimagining distributed airpower. • Extreme Performance: Powered by a GE Aerospace F110 engine with thrust vectoring, it boasts a 2,000+ nautical mile range, a 50,000 ft ceiling, and large internal payload bays comparable to an F-35. • Hivemind Autonomy: Driven by Shield AI’s platform-agnostic Hivemind software, the X-BAT f

Source: Shield AI X – BAT: Naval Capabilities & 2026 First Flight Timeline Revealed