Helsing AI ramps up production: 6,000 HX‑2 drones for Ukraine
The company Helsing AI has announced an order for the production of 6,000 HX-2 drones for Ukraine. This follows an earlier order for 4,000 HF-1 drones, which are currently being delivered to Ukraine. Here’s what distinguishes the Helsing HX-2 strike drones.
Founded in Berlin in 2021, the company Helsing AI focuses on implementing AI in military equipment and optimizing production. In addition to developing several types of drones, the company is working on electronic warfare systems for Eurofighter aircraft and experimenting with so-called AI pilots that could potentially replace or supplement human pilots in the future.
The company has also announced the completion of its first distributed factory in southern Germany, capable of producing 1,000 HX-2 drones per month. This level of productivity, if purchasing continues in support of Ukraine, will pose significant challenges for the Russians. A small group of soldiers could coordinate swarms of strike drones capable of attacking targets at a distance of 62 miles.
HX-2 drones - mass-produced drone with artificial intelligence
The Helsing HX-2 drones are 26-pound constructions utilizing an X-shaped wing design, similar to the Russian Lancet-3 drones. The German drone is designed to engage targets up to 62 miles away with a maximum flight speed of 137 mph, supported by four propellers powered by electric motors.
The effectiveness of these drones in destroying targets depends on the type of warhead, which can be anti-armor, multi-purpose (likely fragmentation), or anti-concrete. However, considering the drone’s total weight of around 26 pounds, these payloads will not be large.
Artificial Intelligence in warfare — the future of drones
The true strength of the drone, however, lies not in its structure but in its software and use of artificial intelligence algorithms. According to the manufacturer, these ensure immunity to electronic warfare activities. Ukrainians are currently testing solutions on FPV drones using Skynode-S modules or modified Google Coral development boards, but such homemade solutions cannot compare to factory-manufactured equipment designed from the ground up.
Helsing AI claims the drone can independently search for specified objects, identify them, and attack even when there are issues with controller contact or data transmission interruptions. However, the company notes that human oversight is involved during critical decisions.
Additionally, one trained individual, using Helsing's Altra recce-strike software, can manage a swarm of multiple HX-2 drones enabling the simultaneous attack on multiple targets or conducting combined drone attacks with different warheads.
