Israeli Robotics Firm XTEND Wins $40.5 Million US Army Drone Contract
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Israeli robotics company XTEND has won a $40.5 million contract to supply 6,000 attack drones to the U.S. Army. This is the company's largest order to date and is part of the U.S. military's Drone Dominance program. The drones are designed for close-quarters combat and operate using XTEND's AI-powered system. The contract is expected to strengthen XTEND's position in the U.S. defense market.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- XTEND will supply 6,000 attack drones to the U.S. Army under a $40.5 million contract.
- The contract is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's $1 billion Drone Dominance program.
- The drones are designed for close-quarters battle and operate in GPS-denied environments.
- XTEND's STRIKER drone utilizes an AI-powered operating system for complex remote missions.
- This is XTEND's largest order, significantly boosting its standing in the U.S. defense market.
- The program aims to create a domestic drone supply chain independent of China.
XTEND, an Israeli-founded robotics company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker XTND, announced it has secured a $40.5 million contract to supply 6,000 attack drones to the U.S. Army. This marks the largest order in the company's history and is expected to significantly bolster its position in the American defense market and expand its operations in the coming years.
The contract is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's Drone Dominance program, a $1 billion initiative aimed at accelerating the U.S. military's acquisition of single-use attack drones. The program seeks to establish a domestic supply chain independent of Chinese components and targets the purchase of approximately 300,000 drone systems. This initiative reflects a shift in American combat doctrine, emphasizing the growing importance of relatively inexpensive unmanned systems capable of operating in dangerous environments without risking soldiers' lives.
XTEND was selected as a leader in the Close Quarters Battle (CQB) category during the second phase of the program, Gauntlet II. Out of 49 companies that competed in the initial phase, only 19 advanced to the second stage, where their capabilities were tested in operational scenarios. The awarded contract centers on the STRIKER attack drone, developed by XTEND, which is designed for operations within buildings, dense urban areas, and tunnels, even in environments lacking GPS reception.
The drone is operated by XTEND's XOS operating system, which integrates advanced artificial intelligence and robotics, enabling soldiers to perform complex missions remotely. Founded in Tel Aviv, XTEND's current headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. Aviv Shapira, co-founder and CEO of XTEND, stated that the contract validates the company's technology in operational conditions. "For XTEND, this is not just a significant order, but also an opportunity to establish ourselves as a key supplier in the American procurement program, which could generate further demand for our systems in the future," Shapira added.
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