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European defense technology startup Helsing has unveiled its first attack drone as the AI specialist seeks to capitalize on growing demand for autonomous weapons driven by the war in Ukraine.
The company presents its new drone, already used in Ukraine, the United Kingdom and other NATO allies. Helsing claims it can produce tens of thousands of AI-based drones per year at a lower cost than existing systems, using advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing.
NATO “urgently needs technologies to protect the integrity of the eastern flank,” said Gundbert Scherf, co-founder of Helsing, referring to the military alliance’s members in eastern and central Europe.
The company believes that if deployed on a large scale along the borders, the new drones, dubbed HX-2, could act as a “counter-invasion shield” against enemy forces on the ground.
Ukraine highlighted the evolution of modern warfare, moving from the use of traditional hardware such as tanks, guns and munitions to more software-defined technologies, particularly autonomous systems, to enable troops to outwit the enemy.
One of the challenges facing Ukraine’s armed forces is Russian electromagnetic jamming, which disrupts GPS and communications between drones and their operators.
Helsing said its HX-2 drones, capable of flying up to 100 km, will be equipped with software that will allow them to search, re-identify and engage targets even without a signal or continuous data connection. A human operator will remain in control at all times.
Helsing, founded in 2021, was valued at €4.95 billion in its latest summer funding round, led by General Catalyst and including Accel and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
The company has committed to establishing a manufacturing facility in the UK as part of a £350 million investment in the country over the next five years.
Helsing hopes to become one of the winners of the UK government’s Defense Strategic Review and plans for a new defense industrial strategy, which aims to include input from technology companies as well as traditional industry giants.
Secretary of Defense John Healey, unveiling plans for the new strategy Monday said the government must learn lessons from Ukraine where “the pace of innovation is measured in weeks, not months.”
Helsing has already signed partnership agreements with some of Europe’s defense contractors, including Germany’s Rheinmetall and Sweden’s Saab, to integrate AI into existing platforms such as fighter jets. The startup is also working with Airbus on AI technologies that will be used in manned and unmanned systems.