Navy adds $150M to Shield AI X-BAT OT agreement

Shield AI said on Oct. 8, 2026 that the U.S. Navy executed a $150 million modification to an existing Other Transaction agreement to advance X-BAT, funded through the Defense Exportability Features program, and that Shield AI is matching it with $150 million of its own capital. Combined with an August $50 million Navy/DIU RIMES action that Shield AI also matched, the company said announced public and private X-BAT commitments now total $400 million. Shield AI said a roughly 500-person team with GE Aerospace has completed engine light-off and thrust-vectoring nozzle integration, with flight testing due later in 2026; it has not reported a first hover.