Shield AI's X-Bat Links Reusable-Rocket Experience to VTOL Fighter Design

Shield AI’s X-Bat is a vertical take-off and landing combat aircraft, and Armor Harris brings experience developing reusable rockets at SpaceX to his work on the program.

Key details

• Harris is described as a former SpaceX engineer with reusable-rocket development experience.
• The X-Bat is characterized as a tail-sitting vertical take-off and landing fighter jet.
• Harris’s work on rocket boosters that land automatically is presented as relevant to the X-Bat.

Armor Harris is described as a former SpaceX engineer who worked on reusable rockets.

Why it matters

The X-Bat brings vertical take-off and landing capability into the fighter-aircraft category. Harris’s background connects reusable-rocket development with Shield AI’s work on the aircraft.