US defence technology company Shield AI has announced the X-BAT, a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered fighter aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The company suggests that this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could represent the next generation of military combat aircraft and, in particular, provide a significant advance in the US Air Force’s Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept.
Runway-less Air Power: VTOL and Hivemind Autonomy
X-BAT is specially designed for reconnaissance and maritime operations in the harshest environments. Shield AI’s Hivemind software forms the combat capability and autonomous core of the vehicle.
Runway-Free Takeoff: Brandon Tseng, co-founder of Shield AI, described the X-BAT’s ability to deliver combat capability during vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) regardless of the need for a runway as the “holy grail of deterrence”. This capability could radically change the way US and allied air forces conduct air warfare.
Autonomous Communications: As a UAV with Hivemind as its brain, the X-BAT will be able to enter contested airspace, team up with manned aircraft and employ co-operative tactics without the need for constant human communication.
Range, Multiple Roles and Affordability
Shield AI claims that the X-BAT has created a “revolution in air power” due to its combination of range, autonomy and “multi-role capability”.
Long Range: The X-BAT has a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles when fully equipped. This allows it to attack from ships, islands or remote areas without ready runways.
Multi-Mission Capability: UAVs can perform attack, air defence, electronic warfare or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Depreciability (Attritable): The company stated that the acquisition and life cycle costs of the X-BAT will be much cheaper than the fifth generation jets. This affordable price meets the Air Force’s basic requirement of being “expendable” (expendable).
Compact Design: The X-BAT is also compact, capable of fitting three of them in the space occupied by a single conventional fighter aircraft or helicopter.
CCA Concept and Past Successes
The US Air Force has already used the Hivemind software underlying the X-BAT to control the X-62A VISTA jet. This is a modified experimental F-16 capable of self-flight and even air combat with autonomous software.
Under the concept of “affordable mass” in the CCA programme, the Air Force is looking for a way to increase its ability to perform tasks without exceeding the budget. Shield AI’s X-BAT design has the potential to integrate with both current and future Air Force and Navy concepts, as it is platform-independent.
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