Shield AI and GE Aerospace have successfully integrated a 1990s-era thrust-vectoring nozzle into the F110-GE-129E engine, clearing a critical Propulsion milestone for the X-BAT autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) strike fighter.

The adaptation of the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) enables the 22,000-pound X-BAT to launch and land vertically, eliminating the need for traditional runways. By utilizing flight-proven hardware from previous decades, the companies have significantly accelerated the development timeline for the uncrewed aircraft, which is projected to make its first flight in late 2026.

Resurrecting 1990s Propulsion Technology

Originally developed in the 1990s for the Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV) program, the AVEN nozzle was initially tested on a specialized F-16 aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. During that period, the hardware accumulated 135 flight hours across 95 sorties.

Historical records regarding the nozzle’s initial ground testing vary slightly. GE Aerospace reported 87 hours of ground tests in an August 20, 2026, retrospective article, while a July 20, 2026, joint press release from the companies cited 73 hours.

Shiva Vallabhaneni, Senior Propulsion Engineer for X-BAT at Shield AI, noted the unique nature of the adaptation in a corporate release.

“By combining decades of propulsion engineering with modern autonomy and new aircraft architecture, we’ve transformed a technology built for one mission into the foundation for something its original designers could never have envisioned,” Vallabhaneni stated.

Engine Light-Off and Integration

On July 20, 2026, Shield AI and GE Aerospace announced the completion of integration, actuation, and engine light-off testing at GE Aerospace’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. This event marked the first fully integrated test campaign of the AVEN nozzle since its original 1990s development.

The testing validated that the nozzle, the F110-GE-129E engine, actuators, and control systems functioned together as a single propulsion unit.

Armor Harris, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Engineering at Shield AI, emphasized the efficiency of this approach. He explained that taking hardware with a flight-proven track record and adapting it for the X-BAT mission allowed the team to move through development at a rapid pace rather than starting from zero.

U.S. Navy Rimes Program Contract

The propulsion milestones align with growing military interest in runway-independent platforms. On August 14, 2026, Aviation Week reported that the U.S. Navy awarded Shield AI a $50 million Contracts to develop the X-BAT under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (Rimes) program.

According to the publication, the Navy intends to operate the VTOL aircraft from destroyers, expeditionary sea bases, and aircraft carriers to execute long-range strike missions.

AirPro News analysis

We view the integration of the AVEN nozzle as a highly pragmatic engineering decision by Shield AI. Developing a clean-sheet VTOL propulsion system for a 22,000-pound strike fighter would typically require billions of dollars and over a decade of testing. By mating an existing, flight-proven thrust-vectoring nozzle to the widely used F110 engine family, the company bypasses the highest-risk phases of aerospace propulsion development.

Furthermore, the X-BAT concept directly addresses a primary concern for modern military planners: the vulnerability of fixed airbases and large aircraft carriers. Distributing autonomous strike capabilities across smaller surface vessels like destroyers and expeditionary sea bases requires robust VTOL performance, which the AVEN technology now appears ready to provide.

Sources: GE Aerospace

Saab AB unveiled a full-scale concept model of a supersonic, low-observable uncrewed combat air system, designated the A3-001, during the Jubilee Air Show at Malmen Air Base in Linköping, Sweden, on August 22, 2026.

The presentation, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Swedish Air Force, outlines the manufacturers vision for a high-end autonomous platform designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Saab Gripen E. According to a company press release, the A3-001 is intended for high-risk missions in heavily defended airspace, including electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and precision strikes.

Pathway to the A3-001 concept

While the A3-001 represents a future operational vision targeted for the mid-2030s, Saab is currently developing two uncrewed technology demonstrators, designated A1 and A2, under its Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) roadmap. These initial demonstrators are funded by the Swedish Ministry of Defence.

Reporting by The War Zone indicates that the A1 demonstrator is expected to make its first flight within approximately 15 months. The A1 will be powered by a General Electric (GE) F414 engine, which is the same powerplant utilized in the Gripen E and F models.

“We are currently in an intensive development phase where, together with Sweden, we are exploring technologies that will lay the foundation for the next generation of combat air systems,” said Peter Nilsson, Head of Business Unit Advanced Programs at Saab AB. “As part of this work, we intend to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030 as we support Sweden in considering their future options.”

Strategic positioning and future combat systems

The A3-001 concept falls under Sweden’s broader Koncept för Framtida Stridsflygplan (KFS), or Concept for Future Combat Aircraft project. The War Zone notes that the A3-001 is positioned as a higher-end, larger, and faster platform compared to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) currently under development for the United States Air Forces.

Saab intends for the A3-001 to leverage the company’s existing sensor and command infrastructure. Nilsson stated that the A3 system is a concept for what could follow the demonstrator phase should the Swedish government decide to proceed with development.

“Saab is well positioned to develop the next generation of combat air systems building on Gripen and GlobalEye, combined with our long experience in advanced aerospace systems,” Nilsson said.

AirPro News analysis

We view Saab’s decision to power the near-term A1 demonstrator with the GE F414 engine as a pragmatic approach to reducing developmental risk. By utilizing the same propulsion system as the Gripen E, Saab ensures immediate logistical and maintenance commonality, which is critical for testing manned-unmanned teaming concepts. It is necessary to distinguish between the funded A1 and A2 demonstrators and the A3-001 mock-up showcased on August 22, 2026. The A3-001 remains a company-funded concept illustrating potential future capabilities rather than an active acquisition program. Its realization will depend entirely on future procurement decisions by the Swedish Armed Forces following the data gathered from the A1 and A2 flight test campaigns.

Sources: Saab AB

Defense technology company Shield AI announced on August 20, 2026, that its X-BAT vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has been selected as the Official Autonomous Aircraft of the 127th Army-Navy Game. The sponsorship places the company’s artificial intelligence-piloted jet in front of a core military audience during the historic rivalry matchup scheduled for December 12, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

In a press release issued by the company, Shield AI confirmed it will also serve as an Associate Sponsor for the event, which is presented by USAA. The partnership highlights the increasing visibility of autonomous aviation technology within the defense sector and provides a high-profile platform to showcase the expeditionary capabilities of the X-BAT platform to military personnel and veterans.

Showcasing autonomous aviation capabilities

Founded in 2015, Shield AI develops the Hivemind autonomy software designed to operate aircraft in contested environments. The X-BAT is an AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet engineered for expeditionary and maritime operations without requiring traditional runways. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft features a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles at full mission payload.

The company has been actively expanding the public profile of its autonomous systems over the past year. Shield AI recently demonstrated autonomous strike and teaming capabilities on an interceptor system during a full-mission flight exercise with Destinus. The Army-Navy Game sponsorship serves as a continuation of this public positioning strategy for its Hivemind-powered aircraft.

Service academy connections and leadership response

The sponsorship holds specific ties to the participating academies and the broader veteran community. Shield AI reports that 15 percent of its workforce consists of military veterans, including dozens of service academy graduates. Brandon Tseng, the president and co-founder of Shield AI, is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

“There’s no game like Army-Navy. I started Shield AI because I deeply believed in the mission of our Armed Forces and that technology could be better leveraged to help accomplish that mission,” Tseng stated in the release. “With 15% of our workforce made up of veterans and dozens of service academy graduates on our team, supporting this game and Army and Navy athletics is a natural extension of who we are.”

Athletics directors from both institutions emphasized the alignment between the technology developer and the military academies. Tom Theodorakis, Director of Athletics at Army West Point, noted that the partnership highlights the growing role that advanced technology plays in keeping future forces safe.

“Founded by one of our own, Shield AI embodies the exact same values the Army-Navy Game has celebrated for generations,” added Michael Kelly, Director of Athletics at the U.S. Naval Academy. “This partnership brings together organizations united by a shared mission to support those who defend our nation.”

AirPro News analysis

We view this sponsorship as a strategic branding maneuver by Shield AI to solidify its position among future military leaders and defense stakeholders. By aligning the X-BAT with the Army-Navy Game, the company directly targets the demographic that will eventually procure, deploy, and operate autonomous systems in the field. The emphasis on runway-independent VTOL capabilities and a 2,000-nautical-mile range directly addresses current Department of Defense requirements for distributed maritime operations and agile combat employment. As autonomous combat aircraft transition from developmental programs to operational assets, high-visibility public engagements like this indicate a shift toward normalizing AI-piloted platforms within the broader military culture.

Sources: Shield AI