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AI Jet's 1990s Engine Roars Back to Life
9 Sep
Summary
- AI-piloted X-BAT fighter uses 1990s thrust-vectoring nozzle.
- Nozzle enables hovering and superhuman reaction speeds.
- First test flights expected in Kansas by late 2026.
Shield AI has equipped its X-BAT AI-piloted fighter jet with the AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle, a system originally developed in the 1990s and tested on an F-16. This technology, known as thrust-vectoring, redirects engine exhaust to control aircraft movement, enabling capabilities such as hovering and extremely rapid maneuvers. The revived AVEN system, re-engineered with modern materials and integrated with 21st-century guidance and AI control, allows the X-BAT to perform without human pilot limitations like G-force blackouts.
Designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), the X-BAT can operate from areas without runways. The AVEN nozzle is crucial for providing the necessary thrust for liftoff, launching the craft more like a rocket. While thrust-vectoring concepts date back to World War II, the AVEN's revival by Shield AI and GE Aerospace represents a significant modernization. Initial test flights are scheduled for late 2026 in Kansas, with operational validation and full production planned for 2028.
