BusinessThursday, November 5
Shield AI finished its first X-BAT jet prototype as its Des Moines factory preps to open in 2027
The Daily Auburn team
If you work in aerospace, or know someone who's job hunting, this one's close to home. Shield AI has completed its first full-scale X-BAT prototype, an AI-piloted fighter jet built in 12 months in Frisco, Texas. It's headed to a flight-test center at Newton City-County Airport in Kansas.
The company says its Seattle-area push could employ 4,000 workers by the early 2030s. Shield AI also says it's hiring thousands of people, and production in Des Moines will include frames, components, systems and avionics.
The Des Moines X-BAT facility would cover 420,000 square feet
Floor area of the X-Forge 3 facility, beside places you know
The X-Forge 3 facility420,000 sq. ft.Opens spring 2027
A football field57,600 sq. ft.end zones included
A Walmart Supercenterabout 180,000 sq. ft.
7 football fields would fit inside the X-Forge 3 facility
Source: GeekWire
View as table
| Floor area | |
|---|---|
| The X-Forge 3 facility | 420,000 sq. ft. (Opens spring 2027) |
| A football field | 57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included) |
| A Walmart Supercenter | about 180,000 sq. ft. |
- Open jobs: dozens across avionics, design, software and manufacturing
- The jet: takes off and lands vertically, no runway needed
- Program backing: approximately $400 million in total
- Funding: $2 billion round at a $12.7 billion valuation
Shield AI's Des Moines plan runs through the early 2030s
- Sept. 2026Shield AI announces the 420,000-square-foot X-Forge 3 facility in Des Moines.
- Late 2026Initial X-BAT flight trials are planned in Kansas.
- Spring '27The Des Moines facility is scheduled to open.
- 2028The first X-BAT is expected to roll off the Des Moines line.
- 2030sEarly in the decade, production is expected to ramp up to about 150 aircraft per year.
Source: GeekWire