An interview with the engineer behind Shield AI's radical X-Bat vertical take-off and landing fighter jet

American AI and defence technology start-up Shield AI is developing one of the most unique military aircraft of the modern era.
The X-Bat is an unmanned fighter jet that takes off and lands vertically from a set of mobile rails. It has no landing gear and no remote pilot, instead flying autonomously under the control of Shield AI’s Hivemind software.
Its designer cut his teeth designing reusable rockets at orbital launch provider SpaceX and is now bringing that technology to the world of fighter jets.
In this episode, FlightGlobal's Ryan Finnerty speaks with X-Bat designer and Shield AI senior vice-president Armor Harris.