Drones

XTEND Advances to Next Stage of Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Initiative

Posted on by Techtime

By Yohai Schwiger

Israeli drone technology company XTEND has advanced to Gauntlet II of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Drone Dominance program after being selected as one of just 19 companies from an initial field of 49 participants. During the next phase, scheduled for August at Fort Carson, Colorado, the company will demonstrate its STRIKER drone system while proving its ability to manufacture and deliver operational systems at industrial scale—a critical milestone toward participating in one of the Pentagon’s most ambitious drone procurement efforts.

The announcement, however, represents more than another achievement for XTEND. Drone Dominance provides a window into how the U.S. military is reshaping its approach to drone acquisition. Drawing lessons from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Pentagon is rebuilding America’s drone industrial base around a new principle: battlefield advantage depends not only on superior technology, but also on the ability to produce it rapidly and in large quantities.

Not Another Development Program—A Manufacturing Revolution

For years, the United States relied on sophisticated and expensive unmanned systems developed over lengthy, multi-year programs costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that this model no longer matches the pace of modern warfare.

Small, inexpensive drones have become among the most influential weapons on today’s battlefield. They are affordable, easy to operate, rapidly upgradeable, and can be manufactured in volumes far beyond those of traditional weapon systems.

Against this backdrop, the Department of Defense launched Drone Dominance, an initiative designed to rapidly identify promising companies, evaluate their technologies, and transition them into military suppliers within months rather than years. The program is estimated to be worth roughly $1 billion and is expected to lead to procurement of tens of thousands of drones over the coming years.

Unlike traditional defense competitions, the Pentagon is no longer selecting only the best-performing drone. Participants must also demonstrate rapid manufacturing capability, resilient supply chains, scalable serial production, and the ability to evolve from innovative startups into reliable industrial suppliers.

A Test of Industry, Not Just Technology

The program’s first phase took place at Camp Grayling, Michigan, where the U.S. Army evaluated drone performance across a range of operational scenarios during both day and night.

The 19 companies advancing to Gauntlet II now face a fundamentally different challenge. Rather than showcasing prototypes, they must prove that their systems are ready for mass production, can be delivered quickly and at scale, and meet the demanding standards of the U.S. defense supply chain.

In effect, this is a test of industrial capability as much as technological innovation.

The Finalists Tell the Story

The shortlist combines established defense contractors with a new generation of drone companies. Alongside well-known names such as AeroVironment, Kratos, and Teal Drones are younger firms including Neros, Ascent AeroSystems, Ukraine’s General Cherry, and Israel’s XTEND.

The composition of the finalists reflects a broader shift in Pentagon thinking. Rather than relying primarily on traditional defense primes, the Department of Defense is increasingly looking to companies specializing in tactical drones, autonomy, and technologies developed at the pace demanded by rapidly evolving battlefields.

It is also notable that although the initiative aims to strengthen America’s domestic manufacturing base, several of the selected technologies originate abroad. XTEND is the only Israeli company to reach Gauntlet II, joined by firms with Ukrainian and European roots. The message is clear: the Pentagon wants manufacturing to take place in the United States but is willing to source innovation from anywhere in the world.

Lessons From Recent Battlefields

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine served as the primary catalyst for the Pentagon’s strategic shift. The conflict demonstrated how inexpensive FPV drones, produced in the thousands, could reshape the battlefield and inflict significant damage even on forces equipped with advanced and costly weapons.

More recently, the confrontation with Iran highlighted another critical challenge. Large-scale drone and missile attacks forced the United States and its allies to employ interceptors costing hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars apiece. Beyond their high cost, these conflicts exposed how quickly interceptor inventories can be depleted while replacement production remains comparatively slow.

As a result, the Pentagon is seeking not only more capable drones but also platforms that can be manufactured rapidly, at scale, and at relatively low cost. The emphasis is shifting toward serial production, autonomy, resilience against electronic warfare, and the ability to replenish depleted inventories quickly.

For XTEND, advancing to Gauntlet II represents more than another technological milestone. The company already supplies systems to U.S. defense organizations, but Drone Dominance could position it within a much broader effort to build the next generation of drone suppliers for the U.S. military.

More broadly, the program illustrates a profound shift in American defense strategy: in the age of drones, military superiority is measured not only by the performance of individual systems, but also by the industrial capacity to manufacture thousands of them rapidly, affordably, and at the pace demanded by modern attritional warfare.

D-Fend Adds Complementary Drone Technology to Motorola’s Portfolio

Posted on by Techtime

Motorola Solutions’ acquisition of D-Fend Solutions, headquartered in Ra’anana, Israel, is part of a broader strategy to build a comprehensive portfolio of communications and counter-drone technologies for military, public safety and enterprise applications. Last August, Motorola acquired U.S.-based Silvus Technologies for approximately $4.4 billion. Silvus develops broadband wireless networking technology and is a leading supplier of tactical communication networks used to operate unmanned aerial systems.

Once the D-Fend acquisition is completed, Motorola will Motorola will combine two highly complementary technologies for the drone market. Silvus provides resilient, secure wireless networking for the operation of military drones, while D-Fend offers technology for the safe detection, identification and controlled takeover of unauthorized drones. In Motorola’s investor presentation, the company identifies the primary market for Silvus as military applications, while positioning D-Fend mainly in the enterprise and public safety sectors. However, given the rapid evolution of drone warfare, that distinction may ultimately become less clear.

Taking Control Through Cyber Technology

Founded in 2017 by CEO Zohar Halachmi, CTO Asaf Munster, and Chief Product Officer Yaniv Benbenishti, D-Fend operates in the Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) market. The company developed a counter-drone solution that relies on cyber technology instead of the traditional RF jamming or GPS spoofing.

Its approach is based on passive monitoring of RF signals and signal analysis techniques derived from the cybersecurity domain. Once the system detects the RF link, it decodes the drone’s communication protocol and telemetry data. From this information, it extracts critical details such as the drone’s identity, classification, precise location, and even the location of its operator.

D-Fend’s EnforceAir system can also operate actively by taking control of an unauthorized drone and neutralizing it through cyber (protocol-level) control, without the need for kinetic measures or physical interception.

In 2024, the company’s technology received a significant validation when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially approved that its counter-drone system is safe for use at civilian airports. The technology has since been deployed operationally and is now used by government agencies, public safety organizations, and commercial customers.

According to the company, its systems have been deployed in several thousand installations across more than 30 countries. Over the past three years, D-Fend has achieved annual revenue growth of approximately 50%, and is expected to generate approximately $185 million in revenue in 2026. The acquisition is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Skylock Excels in NATO Counter-Drone Exercise

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[Image: Scene from the NATO exercise in Romania. Courtesy of Autonomous Guard]

Last week, NATO conducted a large-scale operational exercise in Romania to evaluate advanced counter-drone systems—an increasingly critical capability in modern battlefields such as Ukraine. The exercise brought together 21 countries and tested more than 200 technological solutions, including the integrated Sky Dome system developed by Israeli company Skylock, a subsidiary of Autonomous Guard.

According to the company, Sky Dome consistently demonstrated the highest performance in detecting and neutralizing drones throughout the exercise. Autonomous Guard believes these results position the system as a strong contender for future procurement programs across NATO member states.

The exercise, held at the Capu Midia range on the Black Sea coast under the name LCI-X Crucible Eastern Phoenix 2026, was designed as a full-scale field trial rather than a controlled demonstration. Systems were required to operate under realistic combat conditions, handling complex scenarios such as coordinated drone swarms, timed attacks, and multiple simultaneous intrusions. Around 150 different types of drones were deployed, enabling a broad evaluation across diverse threat profiles.

The testing process included several phases. Following an initial screening round, only four systems advanced to the final stage—those developed by Skylock, Rheinmetall, Cognifly, and Bluespace. The final evaluation was attended by senior Romanian defense officials, including the Minister of Defense and the Air Force Commander. Systems that performed well are expected to be listed in NATO’s procurement portal, making them eligible for future acquisition programs.

Sky Dome is built on a multi-layered architecture combining radar, RF sensors, electro-optical systems, and acoustic sensors to deliver precise detection, classification, and tracking. The system operates across multiple ranges and is designed to counter drones that do not rely on GPS, including those using alternative navigation methods. Interception is primarily achieved through “soft-kill” techniques such as communication jamming and navigation spoofing, allowing effective neutralization even against drone swarms.

The company noted that the system also performed well against larger drones, which are typically more challenging to intercept using kinetic methods. Participation in the exercise has reportedly generated interest from additional European NATO members.

Alongside its operational efforts, Skylock is working to establish a local presence in Romania through the SAFE framework—an accelerated defense funding mechanism—in collaboration with a local partner. The company is also exploring the integration of additional interception technologies, including laser-based solutions, in line with evolving battlefield requirements.

Xtend Inaugurates Drone Manufacturing Facility in the U.S.

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Xtend, a Tel Aviv-based drone company, inaugurated a new production facility this week in Tampa, Florida. The plant spans 8,000 square meters and is located near MacDill Air Force Base, home to the headquarters of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), one of Xtend’s primary clients. The new facility has the capacity to produce several thousand drones per year across all of the company’s models and is expected to employ several dozen workers. Xtend also has the option to double the plant’s size in the future.

Production at the site is already underway, fulfilling an order placed in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Defense for hundreds of drones manufactured by Xtend. CEO Aviv Shapira told Tampa Bay’s Channel 13 that the proximity to SOCOM is no coincidence, noting that “SOCOM was our first client, and it remains the company’s largest customer since day one.”

The facility will serve as Xtend’s main manufacturing hub, supporting growing demand not only from U.S. defense agencies but also from NATO member states. “This will be a production arm capable of fulfilling orders worldwide,” said co-founder Rubi Liani in a statement to Techtime. Initially, the factory will focus on producing drones already ordered by the U.S. Department of Defense. Later on, it will expand to manufacture key components such as communication modules, motors, and controllers, which will be supplied to other drone manufacturers operating in the U.S.

During the inauguration ceremony, company representatives highlighted the plant’s importance for U.S. national security, aligning with the federal government’s current strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains. “We are not just building drones—we are building capabilities, resilience, and trust. This is a major milestone for Xtend in the United States,” said Shapira. The company also emphasized the strong support it received from local authorities in establishing the facility.

Xtend’s portfolio includes three drone models, all of which have been ordered by the U.S. Department of Defense. The Wolverine is a tactical multi-mission drone equipped with advanced surveillance and maneuvering capabilities, as well as a robotic arm that can lift and remove suspicious objects without destabilizing the drone. The Griffone is a lightweight interceptor drone, weighing just one kilogram, designed to neutralize small- to medium-sized drones. It can hover up to five kilometers away, reach speeds of 130 kilometers per hour, and intercept targets using a ramming arm. It is also compatible with external command and control systems.

The third model, Xtender, is a micro-tactical drone designed for operations in complex urban environments. Its unique capability lies in entering buildings, gathering intelligence, and exiting the scene undetected. The combination of these three platforms enables a wide range of mission profiles to be executed seamlessly from end to end.

All three drones are operated remotely via Xtend’s proprietary operating system, which allows users to control the drones using simple hand gestures—even during complex maneuvering. For example, to instruct a drone to enter a specific window or remove an explosive device, the operator simply points at the location and issues the command. The user interface leverages gaming and virtual reality technologies, giving the operator the sensation of seeing through the “eyes” of the drone. Thanks to this intuitive system, even untrained users can learn to operate the drones after just a few hours or days of instruction.

[In the photo: from the inauguration ceremony. Source: Xtend]

Xtend to acquire Singapore-based Performance Rotors

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Performance Rotors, founded in 2016, develops small, innovative aerial drone solutions designed for inspection missions. The company focuses on monitoring oil and gas infrastructure and the maritime inspection of containers and cargo ships. Together with thermal and visual sensors, the company’s flagship product, Raven, is equipped with ultrasonic depth detectors (UTG/UTM), providing high-resolution depth images. In addition, due to its small size – 12×16 in – the drone can fly in narrow spaces and is GPS-independent.

One of the strategic investors and also a client of Performance Rotors is the Dutch Royal Vopak, which specializes in storing and maintaining materials for the chemicals, shipping, gas, and oil industries. Although based in Singapore, an international maritime trade hub, Performance Rotor’s activity spans Asia, Europe, and the U.S, and its clients carry out projects in the oil, gas, infrastructure, and shipping markets. 

Xtend developed  operating system for drones operators, that enables anyone to efficiently operate the drone, even on complicated maneuvering missions, with short hours or days of training. In addition, the interface is based on gaming and VR technologies and gives the operator a sense of watching events through the eyes of the drone.

Thus, for instance, to command the drone to enter a building through a specific window or move out an explosive device, the operator is required to point the window in the building or mark towards the explosive device and order the operation. The IDF already uses this system and successfully intercepts thousands of incendiary balloons and kites in the Gaza Envelope. In addition, the company signed a contract last year for delivering more than 100 drones to the US Army, and it currently develops new solutions for the IDF and the US Ministry of Defense.

Xtend also owns a drone line branded Wolverine, mainly used for battlefield missions such as removing explosive loads, entering buildings, and leading troops. However, Xtend is primarily a software company, and its flagship product is the operating system.

[Picture above: by Xtend]

Xtend offers its drone operating system for civil customers

Posted on by Techtime

Israeli drone company Xtend has announced that its drone operating system, supplied until now to military customers, is now available for integration into civilian drones. This step marks the expansion of the company’s activity, which has focused on the military market and worked extensively with the US army and the IDF towards civil applications, such as inspection missions, homeland security, rescue, firefighting, and more.

It was reported to Techtime that the operating system has already been integrated into the drone of an American agtech company, an Israeli drone company, and ground robots of an American defense company. According to Xtend, the operating system intensifies the drone’s capabilities and simplifies its operation, and provides the drone’s manufacturer with a competitive advantage.

The uniqueness of the operating system, which was used until now for military drones, is in that it provides the ability for everyone to efficiently operate the drone, even on complicated maneuvering missions, with short hours or days of training. In addition, the interface is based on gaming and VR technologies and gives the operator a sense of watching events through the eyes of the drone.

Thus, for instance, to command the drone to enter a building through a specific window or move out an explosive device, the operator is required to point the window in the building or mark towards the explosive device and order the operation. The IDF already uses this system and successfully intercepts thousands of incendiary balloons and kites in the Gaza Envelope. In addition, the company signed a contract last year for delivering more than 100 drones to the US Army, and it currently develops new solutions for the IDF and the US Ministry of Defense. 

Drone’s apps store

One of the main civil fields targeted now by Xtend is the inspection field, such as aerial inspection of infrastructures and buildings. In a conversation with Techtime, CEO and co-founder Aviv Shapira explained that a human operator carries out most drone missions, and complete autonomy is a long way off.

“Autonomous drones perform only 10% of the inspection missions. Our solution was designed for any mission that requires a human being  to make decisions in real-time, such as in an engineering inspection of bridges for detecting fractures and corrosion. Missions of this kind require the drone to maneuver in very dense spaces; currently, no autonomous drone can accomplish this mission. In general, in unknown environments, when real-time decisions are required, our system provides the operator with the capability of effortlessly operating, on premise or from anywhere in the world, even five drones and robots parallelly”. 

Shapira: “Using our operating system, drones can be operated in complicated missions where the current interface is insufficient. In addition, drone manufacturers can develop designated applications, for example, for corrosion detection. It also makes it possible for them to enter new areas and offer their customers a variety of applications. It provides them with a competitive advantage”.

The drone as a Swiss knife

Xtend also owns a drone line branded Wolverine, mainly used for battlefield missions such as removing explosive loads, entering buildings, and leading troops. However, Xtend is primarily a software company, and its flagship product is the operating system.  

According to the company, a drone should serve as a “Swiss Army knife”, capable of performing various activities based on switching payload (sensors, robotic arm, etc.) or installing new apps. This concept extends the basic drone’s capabilities beyond the manufacturer’s original specifications. The company’s operating system makes it possible for drone manufacturers and for developers to develop designated applications to be installed on drones in the same way it is done on a smartphone. To achieve this, the company provides the developers with their proprietary SDK.  

Xtend Company, headquartered in Tel Aviv, was founded in 2018 by brothers Aviv and Matteo Shapira. The brothers are also co-founders of Replay Technologies, the developer of FreeD system, which allows viewers to see and experience real-life scenes through immersive camera views at sports events. In 2016 it was purchased by Intel and was the basis for the Intel Sports Group.

 

ASIO to integrate its optical navigation system into a US-based drones

Posted on by Techtime

ASIO Technologies from Rosh-Ha’ayin, Israel, has disclosed it is integrating its NavGuard optical navigation systems into the drone platforms of a new US defense customer. NavGuard is a navigation system for tactical drones based solely on optical sensors, thus eliminating the dependency on GPS that exposes it to jamming attacks. Launched earlier this year, ASIO supplies the system to the IDF – directly and through drones’ manufacturers. 

Jamming is one of the most significant weak spots of military drones, who base their  navigation on GPS for location and orientation in air. However, as the GPS signals arrive from remote satellites, they are easily jammed. There are two methods for signals jamming:  transmission of strong signals that mask the original satellite signals and thus prevent their reception or transmission of false signals that send wrong information, causing the receiver to “think” that it is somewhere else. 

There are few electric protection systems on the market designed to block jamming  transmissions. Asio offers complete immunity against jamming through a navigation system that relies on optical navigation rather than GPS. NavGuard is based on day and night  cameras who provide real time visual sensing of the drone’s surroundings. In order to understand the geographic location of the drone, the system compares the visual  information from the cameras with a 3D map of the mission area, sets the location of the drone relative to the map, and provides the vessel’s command and control unit with the coordinates in a GPS format. 

For instance, if the drone flies over the Azrieli towers, the system will be able to identify this landmark on the map and “understand” the location coordinates of the drone. The optical  navigation system can be used as a backup for GPS-based navigation system or as the  primary system. 

In a conversation with Techtime, David Harel, ASIO’s CEO, says that NavGuard is a unique solution in the tactical drones’ world: “There are similar systems designed for fighter planes,  battleships and armored fighting vehicles, but they are heavy and expensive. Asio managed to develop a light-weight solution that meets the tactical drone’s requirements.” In order to adjust the system for additional platforms, Asio is currently developing smaller versions of the system for various flight outlines. 

Harel: “Our system increase the drone’s latitude and the operational confidence in  completing the mission. We see tremendous interest in this solution, and it even increased following the war in Ukraine, where drones are heavily used”. 

Currently, Asio supplies its solution to the military market, but according to Harel, the  jamming threat is relevant for the commercial drones, as well: “This problem worries the whole drones market, not only the military one. As soon as shipment of commercial packages will start to fly over populated areas – there will be a need for jamming solution”.