GE engine to power Shield AI's new X-BAT autonomous fighter jets

US aerospace company GE Aerospace has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Shield AI to provide propulsion for Shield AI’s new autonomous fighter jet, the X-BAT. The X-BAT is an AI-piloted, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter designed for deployment in contested and communication-limited environments. It is powered by GE’s F110-GE-129 engine, a highly reliable powerplant with over 11 million flight hours since its introduction in the 1980s. This engine features an advanced Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) that enables the thrust vectoring necessary for the X-BAT’s VTOL capabilities. Unveiled in October 2023, the X-BAT combines VTOL functionality with a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and can carry a full mission payload. Shield AI’s proprietary Hivemind autonomy software allows the jet to operate independently or as a drone wingman alongside piloted aircraft. The compact design enables