HX-2 drone: Helsing presents software-based, swarm-capable precision drone

With the HX-2 drone, Helsing has unveiled a new type of drone. A company press release characterises the system as “software-based, mass-producible and swarm-capable – and an important milestone in Helsing's mission to strengthen the security of democracies worldwide”.

Technically, it is an electrically powered precision drone in an X-wing design that flies up to 100 kilometres. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is intended to be resistant to jamming and electronic warfare. Helsing developed and tested these capabilities on the basis of its extensive experience in Ukraine. With Altra, Helsing's reconnaissance and control software, several HX-2 can be linked into swarms over which a human operator retains control.

According to the company: “HX-2 was designed from the ground up for mass production” – and “at significantly lower unit costs than conventional systems”. Helsing therefore sees the HX-2 as “a powerful complement to common artillery systems”. To manufacture it, Helsing is currently building up production capacity in Europe.

“With HX-2 we have created a new type of drone that combines mass with autonomy and extreme precision. Individual HX-2s can reliably hit armoured targets even in heavily contested electromagnetic environments. When deployed at scale along national borders, HX-2 can also serve as an invasion shield against land forces.”— Niklas Köhler, co-founder of Helsing

Production of the HX-2 drone in Germany

“NATO urgently needs technologies to protect the integrity of the eastern flank. At Helsing, we have invested in developing these capabilities to give NATO an advantage through mass and precision. HX-2 provides autonomy through the use of software and AI – with full human control and oversight. Electronic warfare threatened to undermine this; now we are giving control back to the operators.”— Gundbert Scherf, co-founder of Helsing

The HX-2 is already being produced in Germany, while the software on which it is based is currently in use in Ukraine.