On night missions, the Shadowbat has far reaching lights that can illuminate a sizeable part of the battlescape, whilst keeping the area immediately under (and above?) the craft in total darkness. Your hands can exit the craft and take up firing positions underneath the craft using the cover of darkness whilst everything around it is lit up like a Christmas tree. Of course, advancing away from the Shadowbat will expose you too.
Might be handy if you don't feel like throwing fire/magna lights/electroflares about the place on night missions.