Shield AI and GE Aerospace have confirmed that the GE Aerospace F110-GE-129 engine will power the developmental X-Bat unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft.
The pair have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the programme, says a joint statement from the two companies.
“GE Aerospace’s F110 engine is one of the most successful and reliable fighter engines in history and has the operability characteristics that X-Bat’s VTOL design demands,” says Armor Harris, senior vice-president of aircraft engineering at Shield AI.
Shield AI unveiled the single-engined X-Bat design in October. The fighter has a tailless blended-wing-body fuselage with a single nose intake optimised for VTOL operations.
The F110-GE-129 powers conventional fighters such as the Boeing F-15 and Lockheed Martin F-16, providing thrust of 29,000lb (129kN). The X-Bat’s engine will also feature thrust vectoring via GE Aerospace’s Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle, or AVEN.
While thrust vectoring is not a feature the F-15 and F-16, the F110-GE-100 that powers the US Air Force’s Lockheed X-62A VISTA (Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft) is configured with this capability.
An X-Bat video rendering shows the aircraft taking off vertically from a trailer and recovering on a trailer as well. The video suggests that the X-Bat will feature a large internal fuel load, which will be essential for fuel-consuming VTOL operations. Moreover, the jet’s maximum range is given as 2,000nm (3,700km).
“We’re excited to pair GE Aerospace’s proven experience in developing and scaling propulsion systems with Shield AI’s vehicle development to move faster from concept to capability,” says Amy Gowder, president and chief executive, Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace.
“Together, we’re helping redefine how advanced propulsion technologies are integrated into autonomous systems built for the mission. Collaborating with Shield AI underscores GE Aerospace’s commitment to advancing propulsion for next-generation autonomous systems.”
