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X-Bat UAV emerges as a serious defence option

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Shield AI’s X-BAT drone looks like being a far more effective defence for Australia than nuclear-powered submarines.

The X-BAT’s key feature is that it is launched and retrieved vertically, so there’s no need for a runway or to haul around complex landing gear. That means the X-BAT would remain in operation long after Australia’s military airfields have been wiped out. The 2,000 nautical mile (3,700 km) range means an X-BAT could deter hostile shipping far out to sea. See more at A Stronger Airforce.

Comments

2 responses to “X-Bat UAV emerges as a serious defence option”

  1. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    How much do these cost and when could we buy them?

    Reply
    1. OHE Avatar
      OHE

      Shield AI is saying US$M20 to $M30 which an expensive drone but a cheap fighter. We could buy ~150 of them for the price of one Virginia SSN. It seems like they will have prototypes in the next year. They already have the V-BAT in combat in Ukraine.

      Reply

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