The investment follows a separate $50 million action by the Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit announced in August. The laest funding aims to incorporate technology protection and export capabilities directly into the architecture of the X-BAT from the start of its lifecycle. Flight testing for the prototypes is scheduled to begin this year.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Navy and Shield AI Commit $400M for X-BAT Flight Tests
AI12 days ago
Five hundred engineers are collaborating to finalize a specialized autonomous aircraft for its first flights. The US Navy and Shield AI have split a $400 million investment to bring the X-BAT system to the flight-testing stage by the end of 2026, with the US government and the company each contributing $200 million. This funding includes a $150 million modification by the Navy for Defense Exportability Features, which the company matched with its own capital.
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