Elbit Systems Unveils Fuse Robotics Unit for Autonomous Warfare

Elbit Systems has officially launched Fuse, a new subsidiary dedicated to developing and deploying robotic and autonomous systems for air, sea, and land operations. The announcement follows Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir's approval for the establishment of a robotic forces division within the IDF. Fuse, based in Rosh Ha'ayin, operates separately from Elbit's successful drone manufacturing division and focuses on both aerial and ground-based robotic platforms.

Earlier this year, Elbit acquired Israeli company BlueWhite, specializing in remote robotic system operation, for tens of millions of dollars. This strategic move underscores the growing global demand for autonomous military technology, a trend significantly accelerated by the conflict in Ukraine, where both sides extensively use drones. The war has highlighted the effectiveness of armed drones and robotic systems in compensating for personnel shortages and inflicting heavy losses.

Fuse's offerings include advanced AI systems capable of operating drone swarms simultaneously, even in GPS-jammed environments. These systems feature automatic target recognition and allow for coordinated task-switching between units without human intervention. The company has also developed systems for launching dozens of drones at once from specialized trucks. Elbit reports that Fuse's autonomous technologies have accumulated over one million operational flight hours and 100,000 autonomous ground operation hours, with thousands of drones and hundreds of ground platforms supplied globally, including to the IDF, the US, and Europe.

Key products include the PIRANI-X tactical drones for maneuver forces and unmanned ground vehicles designed for urban warfare. Fuse also offers hybrid aircraft that combine drone and UAV capabilities, featuring vertical takeoff and landing with fixed wings for extended range and payload capacity, some capable of carrying up to 30 kg. These systems are integrated into border defense solutions and combined arms operations, enhancing operational tempo, survivability, and reducing risk to personnel.

Eyal Dahan, CEO of Fuse, stated that military forces are entering a new operational era where combat effectiveness relies on integrating and coordinating multiple autonomous systems in real-time. He emphasized that Fuse was established to provide this capability, integrating autonomous platforms, operational AI, and scalable command abilities into rapid-deployable solutions for modern combat structures.