13 February, 2025
German company Helsing will produce 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
The company announced this on its website.
This order follows a preliminary order for 4,000 HF-1 strike drones, which are currently being delivered to Ukraine in partnership with the Ukrainian industry.
Presented in late 2024, HX-2 is an electrically propelled X-wing precision munition with up to 100 km range.
It is designed to engage armored vehicles, artillery, and other military targets, including buildings.
The drone weighs 12 kg and is equipped with four electric motors in the tail section, reaching a maximum speed of 220 kilometers per hour. According to Helsing, this kamikaze drone has a range of up to 100 kilometers.
The declared total weight of the HX-2 implies that the drone is equipped with a warhead weighing several kilograms.
The developers state that by using artificial intelligence technology, the kamikaze drone has high autonomy in the face of electronic warfare and can effectively engage enemy targets.
Visualization of a swarm of HX-2 kamikaze drones. Image: Helsing
Also, several HX-2 drones can be combined into a flock to perform a combat mission.
This is possible due to the integration of drones into the Altra control system from the same Helsing company, which allows one operator to control several drones simultaneously.
HX-2 kamikaze drone. Photo credits: Helsing
To mass-produce HX-2 drones, Helsing has opened its first factory in southern Germany – the exact location is not disclosed.
According to the company, the initial monthly production capacity is more than 1,000 HX-2 combat drones. This means that all 6,000 drones planned for Ukraine should be delivered this year.
Using AI and having a range of 100 km with a speed of 220 km/h, this drone sounds like a valuable addition for the AFU. And, I hope to see many roach targets get debrised by them.
A kamikaze drone is essentially a light, low speed missile. In order to do the maximum damage to orc filth, they will need powerful explosives. I’m no expert, but I think HMX is produced in industrial quantities. Hopefully they will have that or similar.
Of course, I would prefer Storm Shadows, Tomahawks, and Taurus, but good drones are also extremely valuable, as we see every day.
I like them, but hope they will greatly expand production and delivery to Ukraine.
Do you think that the Ukrainians will build their own, based on this design, Sir Bill?
If they are effective, I think they will … and make improvements.
They have made some similar items, but I have no doubt that Ukraine will use it to improve domestic designs as well as surpass them.
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