GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE), Shield AI and Poland’s Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. (WZL-2) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for the F110 engine that powers X-BAT.
Under the MOU, GE Aerospace, Shield AI and WZL-2 will explore establishing MRO capability in Poland for the F110 engine and its Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) to support X-BAT. The partners will examine the infrastructure, equipment, and training needed to build and expand that capability over time, so sustainment is planned alongside the aircraft from the start.
The MOU builds on the letter of intent that Shield AI, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. (PGZ) and WZL-2 signed in September to partner on the design, production, and delivery of X-BAT and on sustaining it in Poland. With GE Aerospace now joining Shield AI and WZL-2, the three partners will work toward the in-country MRO capability needed to keep X-BAT mission-ready on NATO's eastern flank.
"For more than 30 years, GE Aerospace has supported Poland's armed forces and its aerospace industry," said Amy Gowder, president & CEO, Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace. "This MOU extends that partnership to X-BAT, bringing proven propulsion and sustainment expertise together with Shield AI's breakthrough innovation in AI-piloted aircraft and Polish industry to keep next-generation autonomous systems mission-ready."
"Few countries in Europe are investing in advanced technology at Poland's scale, and WZL-2 has already started building F110 engine expertise with GE Aerospace," said Ryan Tseng, Shield AI’s president, co-founder and chief strategy officer. "GE’s F110, with its updated thrust-vectoring nozzle, is one of the most advanced powerplants in the world. WZL-2 has the people and facilities to maintain it in Poland. With both companies working with us, Polish industry can build and support X-BAT for Poland and for export, as part of Shield AI's supply chain."
“Signing the Memorandum with Shield AI and GE Aerospace marks another step forward in the development of WZL-2’s capabilities in advanced aerospace technologies. We believe that combining WZL-2’s experience, our partners’ technologies, and the potential of the Polish industry will create new opportunities to develop domestic technical expertise, strengthen security, and increase the participation of Polish industry in international defense supply chains,” said Jakub Gazda, CEO of WZL-2.
The GE Aerospace F110 engine has more than 11 million flight hours under its wing, the most thrust in its class, and recently celebrated a milestone of 40 years of continuous production and improvement. The AVEN for X-BAT provides thrust vectoring capability for vertical flight and enhances maneuverability in horizontal flight.
X-BAT is an AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft. Because it is designed to take off and land vertically, it can operate from small sites, ships, and roads rather than runways. Runways are among the first targets in a conflict, and Europe has few hardened airfields for the aircraft it is buying. X-BAT removes that dependency, allowing air power to move with the fight. Building and sustaining X-BAT in Poland would place that capability within Polish industry.