GE Aerospace has teamed up with defense firm Shield AI to develop propulsion systems for the X-BAT, a next-generation AI-guided vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) combat drone. Under a new memorandum of understanding, the aircraft will use GE’s F110-GE-129 engine equipped with the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN), a technology enabling superior thrust vectoring and vertical maneuverability. GE Aerospace will contribute testing expertise and propulsion support as the program advances. The X-BAT, introduced by Shield AI in October, combines artificial intelligence with jet propulsion to create a high-performance autonomous aircraft capable of operating in austere and contested environments. The platform uses Shield AI’s Hivemind software, which allows it to navigate, coordinate, and engage autonomously in complex missions without relying on GPS or real-time operator input. The design emphasizes scalability, enabling multiple X-BATs to cooperate as part of distributed combat formations. Its short takeoff and landing capability makes it suitable for forward-deployed operations from minimal infrastructure. The collaboration extends Shield AI’s portfolio beyond its V-BAT series, which already supports U.S. military missions, into the jet-powered category for greater range and payload flexibility. The partnership underscores GE’s growing role in autonomous aviation and highlights ongoing efforts to develop intelligent, self-directing aircraft for future defense applications.
