US Navy could see first VTOL X-BAT UAV 'by end of this month' as external funding reaches $200 million — Shield AI's fighter-sized drone can fly 2000 nautical miles, reach 50,000 feet

Shield AI expects its first full-scale X-BAT prototype by October's end

X-BAT aims to fly 2,000 nautical miles and reach 50,000 feet

The aircraft's projected combat radius ranges from 1,000 to 1,340 nautical miles

Shield AI expects to unveil its full-scale X-BAT unmanned combat aircraft by the end of October 2026 ahead of planned flight tests later this year.

In addition to its initial $50 million investment, the U.S. Navy has committed another $150 million toward X-BAT’s development, bringing the…