Shield AI, a U.S. defense technology firm based in San Diego, has unveiled the X-BAT, an AI-powered fighter jet designed to counter China’s anti-access and aerial denial strategy. The aircraft, which can take off vertically and reach an altitude of 50,000 feet, is built for denied environments and is intended to operate from ships, small islands, or improvised sites. It uses an onboard autonomy system known as Hivemind for real-time decision-making.
Analysts note that China has developed a strategy to disable U.S. aircraft before they even launch, using long-range precision missiles such as the DF-21D and DF-26. These weapons are capable of destroying U.S. aircraft carriers and striking American airfields across the Pacific. The goal is to keep U.S. air power out of range before it can even launch.
The X-BAT, designed to be compact and cost-effective, is intended to provide the U.S. with a mobile, autonomous air superiority solution. The aircraft is projected to be combat-ready by 2029 and is said to offer a tenfold improvement in cost-per-effect compared to traditional fighters. The compact footprint allows up to three X-BATs to fit in the deck space of a single legacy fighter or helicopter, giving commanders more flexibility in launching sorties from limited space.