German defense unicorn Helsing, valued at $18 billion, has launched mass production of innovative AI-powered strike drones at a closed facility in southern Germany. The drones, which cost just €17,500 each, will be actively helping the Defense Forces destroy Russian equipment from the end of 2024.
German defense unicorn Helsing, valued at $18 billion, has launched mass production of innovative AI-powered strike drones at a closed facility in southern Germany. The drones, which cost just €17,500 each, will be actively helping the Defense Forces destroy Russian equipment from the end of 2024.
This is stated in a report by The New York Times, whose journalists first gained access to the company’s classified factory. The production location is kept secret due to fears of sabotage and sabotage by the Russian Federation. The company notes that in the event of a real threat, the entire factory can be dismantled and transported to another safe location in just one day.
The company’s main product is the HX-2 loitering munition, which weighs about 12 kg. Its body is made of high-strength hard foam, and thanks to the integrated AI system, the drone is completely resistant to enemy electronic warfare. Even in the event of a complete loss of communication or GPS signal, the drone continues to navigate autonomously using downloaded maps and capture previously detected targets.
According to Helsing co-founder Gundbert Scherf, the success rate of these drones in Ukraine is about 70%. A constant stream of video data and feedback from the Ukrainian military on the front lines allows developers to update the drones' software via the cloud every week, adapting to new challenges.
In addition, Helsing is working on the creation of the first autonomous unmanned fighter, the CA-1 Europa, which is scheduled for launch in 2029. Made of lightweight carbon fiber, the aircraft will be able to perform extremely complex combat missions deep inside enemy territory without endangering the lives of pilots and at a fraction of the cost of classic aircraft such as the F-35.
