Shield AI don drop X-BAT, a stealthy jet-powered 'autonomous fighter' wey dem design am say e go take off vertically and land the same way, tail first, after e complete ein mission. Dem know the company well for ein Hivemind autonomy software and ein V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing drone wey no too complex, but e don prove ein self for combat.
Now dem wan make serious impact for the growing marketplace for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) type drones. Dem get design wey dey aim to offer different level of mission flexibility from launch and recovery points for land or sea.
According to Shield AI, the X-BAT, wey no need runway, get 'cranked kite' planform, e go be 26 feet long, get wingspan of 39 feet, and e go be 4.7 feet tall. The drone, wey afterburning jet engine dey power am, go get maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles and service ceiling.
Armor Harris, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Shield AI ein aircraft division, talk say dem learn plenty lessons from V-BAT wey help dem develop X-BAT.
Key Features of the X-BAT:
- Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability
- Stealth design
- Jet-powered for high speed and long range
- Autonomous operation with Hivemind software
Potential Impact:
The X-BAT dey represent significant advancement for military drone technology. Ein ability to operate without runways and ein autonomous capabilities fit make am valuable asset for various military operations. E fit change how dem dey conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and even combat missions.
The development of X-BAT dey show say innovation dey happen for military technology space. As technology dey improve, we fit expect to see more advanced autonomous systems wey go dey play important role for future conflicts.