Shield AI shows off not-at-all-terrifying autonomous VTOL combat drone (www.theregister.com)

Shield AI unveiled a mock-up of X-BAT, a jet‑powered, tail‑sitting VTOL autonomous combat drone that it says will run on its Hivemind autonomy software (the same platform used to pilot a modified F‑16 in last year’s dogfight tests). X‑BAT is roughly half the size of an F‑35 (26 ft long, 39 ft wingspan), features internal weapon bays plus external hardpoints, and is claimed to have a range of at least 2,000 nautical miles. The design emphasizes vertical launch and recovery to remove runway dependence, and Shield AI pitches the platform as “VTOL + range + multirole + autonomy” — able to operate standalone or collaboratively when comms are contested. Initial demonstrations and full flight testing are planned over the next few years, with production targeted around 2029. For the AI/ML and defense communities, X‑BAT highlights the push to marry advanced autonomy with high‑performance jet platforms to increase survivability and operational flexibility in denied environments. Key technical and programmatic questions remain: Shield AI has not disclosed the fighter‑class engine model or realistic payload-limited range, making endurance and vertical‑lift payload estimates uncertain; cost was described only as “affordable and attritable” and comparable to Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs (~$30M cited as a proxy). If realized, the program would accelerate Adoption of AI‑driven, runway‑independent combat UAVs—but VTOL jet operations and weaponized autonomy will face steep engineering, certification, and operational-validation hurdles.