HX-2
About
About HX-2
HX-2 is a 12-kilogram electrically propelled x-wing strike aircraft built for targets at ranges up to 100 kilometres. Helsing lists a maximum speed of 220 kilometres per hour and modular anti-tank, anti-structure and multipurpose payloads. Onboard software can search for and re-identify targets and continue mission execution without a continuous data link, supporting operation when navigation and communications are contested.
Integration with Helsing's Altra reconnaissance-strike platform connects multiple HX-2 aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, artillery and battle-management systems. A single operator can coordinate a group through Altra, while a human remains in or on the loop for every critical decision. Helsing announced HX-2 in December 2024 and said production was already under way, with over-the-air software updates intended to adapt fielded systems to changing threats and tactics.
Capabilities
Source-backed capabilities
- Workflows: Drone autonomy, Precision effect delivery
- Target markets: Defense robotics, Defence
- Control modes: Human Supervised Autonomy
- Deployment model: Operator Launched
- Electronic-warfare sensing and response
Claimed - 2024-12-02 - The drone is an electrically propelled X-wing precision munition with up to 100 km range and onboard AI for electronic-warfare and jamming resistance.
Source
Operations
- Order / Commitment
EUR 269 million - 2026-02-12 - Germany - strike drone procurement - Germany awarded Helsing an initial EUR 269 million HX-2 strike drone contract.
Source
Timeline
- Germany awards Helsing initial EUR 269M HX-2 strike drone contract
2026-02-12 - Contract Award - Germany awarded Helsing an initial EUR 269 million contract for HX-2 strike drones. Reporting says the Bundestag budget committee capped the broader arrangement, with further purchases requiring additional approval.
Source - Helsing announces production of 6,000 additional HX-2 strike drones for Ukraine
2025-02-13 - Production Milestone - Helsing announced production of 6,000 additional HX-2 strike drones for delivery to Ukraine. The company said this followed a previous order of 4,000 HF-1 strike drones being delivered in partnership with Ukrainian industry. Helsing also announced that its first Resilience Factory in Southern Germany was operational with initial monthly production capacity of more than 1,000 HX-2 units.
Source - Helsing unveils HX-2 AI strike drone
2024-12-02 - Product Launch - Helsing unveiled HX-2 as a software-defined, mass-producible AI strike drone. The drone is an electrically propelled X-wing precision munition with up to 100 km range and onboard AI for electronic-warfare and jamming resistance. Helsing said HX-2 can operate as part of Altra recce-strike software, with multiple drones assembling into swarms under a single human operator.
Source
Context
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