--- title: "This AI-powered fighter jet doesn’t need a pilot… or a runway" description: "Shield AI's new X-BAT is a stealth fighter drone, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, run by a computer pilot." date: "2025-10-23" modified: "2025-10-23" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/tactical/ai-fighter-jet-doesnt-need-a-pilot-runway/" categories: - "Aircraft" - "Tactical" tags: - "Aircraft" - "Technology" --- # This AI-powered fighter jet doesn’t need a pilot… or a runway ![An artist's rendering of Shield AI's X-BAT drone by Shield AI]() *An artist's rendering of Shield AI's X-BAT drone. (Shield AI)* On October 21, 2025, Shield AI unveiled [its X-BAT stealth fighter drone](). As one would expect from a company specializing in artificial intelligence, the X-BAT is also an autonomous aircraft that the company plans to fly with its in-house autonomy software. As if that weren’t enough, Shield AI celebrated "Back to the Future" Day and said, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need… roads.” Or, apparently, runways. Shield AI is a San Diego-based aerospace and defense tech startup. The company was established in 2015 by Andrew Reiter, Ryan Tseng, and former Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng. Since then, Shield AI has been contracted by the Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, and foreign militaries to provide autonomy and unmanned aerial systems. #### Related: [This unstoppable Cold War-era SLAM jet was designed to leave a path of destruction]() ![Shield AI founders with the X-Bat AI fighter]() *Shawn Ryan and Brandon Tseng with X-BAT on Ryan’s lawn (Shawn Ryan via X)* Prior to X-BAT, Shield AI’s most notable product was the [MQ-35 V-BAT](). Contracted by the Navy in 2021, V-BAT is an unmanned, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aerial reconnaissance vehicle. Using Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT can operate in GPS- and communications-denied environments and has achieved drone-swarming capabilities. The platform is being used in Ukraine, where [Shield AI opened an office]() to support the country’s fleet of autonomous drones. A scale model, not a production model, was unveiled by Shield AI. Still, the company noted that the aircraft will utilize a jet engine with an afterburner and thrust vectoring nozzle to achieve a maneuver load factor of over 4G. The X-BAT utilizes a blended wing and body design with a 39-foot wingspan. ![x-bat AI powered drone art by shield AI]() *X-BAT promises unparalleled expeditionary capabilities (Shield AI)* Shield AI claims that X-BAT will boast a range of over 2,000 nautical miles. An internal weapons bay for air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions will allow the drone to maintain its stealthy profile, though external hard points can be used to carry larger munitions and specialized equipment for surveillance and electronic warfare. X-BAT’s VTOL party piece will be achieved courtesy of a launch-and-recovery vehicle. Configured for transport, three X-BATs fit into the deck space of a single legacy fighter. X-BAT is scheduled to perform initial vertical takeoffs and landings as early as Fall 2026; Shield AI plans to achieve full operational validation in 2028 and produce the next year. Industry partnerships aimed at achieving these goals, including full-scale production, were teased by Shield AI at the unveiling event. Pricing was not specified, though Shield AI referred to the multi-role capabilities of the globally popular F-16 as a selling point for X-BAT in the near future. ### More from Miguel Ortiz #### • [Glock made a rifle. Here’s what we know about it.]() #### • [The Navy is spending $1.1 billion on the most successful air-to-air missile]() #### • [Irregular warfare researchers are testing a new round, rifle, and machine gun]() ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()