XTEND Reality Inc. has secured a significant fixed-price contract from the U.S. Department of War’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict to develop and deliver next-generation AI-enabled affordable close quarter modular effects FPV drone kits (ACQME-DK). Announced on Veterans Day, the competitive award recognizes XTEND’s leadership in one-way attack (OWA) loitering munitions and validates the company’s innovative approach to tactical drone systems. The contract positions XTEND to supply Department of War small tactical teams with purpose-built lethal unmanned systems designed to enhance precision strike capability and operator survivability during irregular warfare operations in complex urban and confined rural environments.
AI-Enabled Tactical Drone Swarm Technology
XTEND’s ACQME-DK represents a fundamental shift in modern warfighting doctrine, leveraging swarm-based autonomy to enable distributed, collaborative robotic systems performing complex missions at the tactical edge. Unlike traditional single-platform control systems, the AI-enabled drone kits deliver precision lethality and survivability effects deep within contested battlespaces without risking personnel or relying on vulnerable beyond-line-of-sight communications links.
The system’s core innovation lies in its ability to allow a single operator to command and deploy swarms of AI-enabled tactical drones remotely, with fiber optic-plus-RF dual-comms resilience providing anti-jam, low-latency control to maintain mission continuity under heavy electronic warfare. This dual-communication architecture ensures operational resilience in contested electromagnetic environments, a critical differentiator in modern combat scenarios.
Purpose-Built Design and Cost Effectiveness
The ACQME-DK is engineered as a modular, rapidly reconfigurable platform capable of swift field adaptation across multiple mission profiles. Operators can quickly transition between day/night reconnaissance surveillance, reloadable reusable distraction devices, lethal inert training payloads, and lethal attack configurations—all emphasizing the one-way attack role. This modularity reduces operational friction and enables high tactical tempo consistent with warfighter requirements.
XTEND’s system design incorporates battle-proven components and AI behaviors derived from field experience across multiple theaters, optimized for repeatable effectiveness in contested environments. The company’s proprietary Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) high-voltage fuse safety board represents a key technical differentiator, providing certified safety architecture essential for operational deployment. Critically, XTEND’s focus on cost-effective one-way attack loitering munitions directly aligns with Department of War leadership directives emphasizing affordability and lethality per platform.
Domestic Production and Support
XTEND will deliver training, spare parts, maintenance, and production from its Tampa, Florida headquarters, establishing a dedicated domestic source of supply for advanced tactical unmanned systems. “This program extends tactical advantage deeper into complex terrain, scaling both precision and survivability through fully coordinated swarm behavior,” said Rubi Liani, Co-Founder & CTO of XTEND. The contract award underscores growing military prioritization of distributed autonomous systems capable of sustained operations in denied environments.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
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