Shield AI and GE Aerospace light off X-BAT engine, completing thrust vectoring nozzle integration and clearing path to vertical flight

CINCINNATI (July 20, 2026) — GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) and Shield AI have successfully completed integration, actuation, and engine light-off testing of the advanced Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) for Shield AI’s X-BAT aircraft, a critical milestone in the program’s path to vertical flight. Engineers from both companies modified and integrated the AVEN into GE […]