U.K. defense company Helsing has developed a new, fully software-based type of strike drone for swarm operations

According to the company, the electrically propelled HX-2 drone can transport anti-tank and anti-structure munitions and operates autonomously, requiring neither pilot input nor GPS.

Source: HelsingSource: Helsing

With an advanced x-wing design and weighing just under 27 lbs, the HX-2 can engage military targets beyond line-of-sight at ranges up to 62 miles and can achieve a maximum speed of 136 mph.

Further, the HX-2 drone is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), thereby making it resistant to electronic warfare and jamming. Likewise, the AI enables HX-2 to independently search, re-identify and strike targets even without the benefit of continuous signals or data connections.

Integrated with Helsing’s Altra reconnaissance-strike software, the HX-2 facilitates synchronized operations with unmanned systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, artillery units, and battlefield management tools. This integration enables coordinated swarm capabilities, allowing a single operator to efficiently control multiple HX-2 units for streamlined reconnaissance and strike missions.

“With HX-2, we are creating a new smart effector category that combines mass, autonomy and precision. Individual HX-2s can reliably engage armored targets in highly contested environments. When deployed along borders at scale, HX-2 can serve as a powerful counter-invasion shield against enemy land forces,” said Niklas Köhler, co-founder of Helsing, in a statement.

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