Shield AI names Newton flight-test, sustainment hub for AI-piloted X-BAT

Defense technology company Shield AI announced Wednesday that Newton City-County Airport will serve as the flight-test and long-term maintenance hub for X-BAT, its planned autonomous vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.

Founded in 2015, Shield AI develops artificial intelligence software and autonomous aircraft for military use.

According to Shield AI’s Sept. 30 announcement, every X-BAT would undergo production acceptance testing in Newton before delivery. Customers would also conduct acceptance flights there, and the site would support development testing and maintenance, repair and overhaul for the fleet. Shield AI plans to begin production in 2029 at its X-Forge 3 facility in Des Moines, Washington, and reach full-rate production in the early 2030s.

An economic analysis released by Shield AI projects the program would support about 1,800 jobs in the Newton-area region by the early 2030s and about 2,900 by 2046. Shield AI said the program could generate roughly $5 billion in regional economic activity from 2026 through 2046 if it proceeds as planned. The announcement cited IMPLAN’s data and software but did not identify an analyst or consultant who prepared the projections.

The regional totals include Shield AI employment, supplier jobs, and employment supported by local spending. They should not be read as the number of direct Shield AI hires in Newton. In a July 29, 2026, update, the city reported that Shield AI had 13 local employees and was hiring toward about 60 full-time positions.

In Shield AI’s Sept. 30 announcement, Mayor Rich Stinnett said Newton’s role had expanded beyond flight testing to include maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the X-BAT fleet. “That means long-term aviation jobs for Newton families,” Stinnett said.

The city’s July 29 update reported that Shield AI leased about 16,000 square feet of hangar and office space in Hangar J and approximately 10 acres of undeveloped land for a testing launch pad. The original 2025 lease listed three acres of undeveloped land. Public information from the city and Shield AI does not explain when or how the leased acreage increased to approximately 10 acres. The proposed expansion would include a city-built, 30,000-square-foot hangar and about 10 additional acres under an initial seven-year lease.

The City Commission reviewed the proposed expansion July 28, 2026. The city’s July 29 update said negotiations with Shield AI were continuing and that the lease and development agreement would be considered at a future City Commission meeting. On Sept. 30, Shield AI said it was working with Newton and Harvey County to expand its airport footprint and develop a larger hangar.

The original lease approved Oct. 28, 2025 by the Newton and Harvey County commissions covered 16,000 square feet in Hangar J and three acres of undeveloped airport land. The five-year agreement set annual rent at $90,000 and included two five-year renewal options. In a separate airport investment, the Newton City Commission approved a $4.275 million bid in April 2025 to reconstruct Runway 8/26, with a $570,757 local share to be divided evenly between the city and county, pending federal grant funding.

This article was written using our proprietary AI system, Cronkite. The final decision to publish this article was made by a human. For more info, read our AI policy.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us