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A growing need on the modern battlefield is to deploy vast numbers of low-cost, autonomous systems rather than relying on expensive, manned platforms. This challenge requires developing technologies that can saturate combat zones with swarms of unmanned vehicles, forcing adversary defenses to expend costly interceptors on comparatively inexpensive targets. An answer to this challenge comes from the Israeli tech company Xtend, which has developed a specialized operating system.
The solution lies in the company’s operating system, XOS, which allows a single operator to simultaneously control multiple drones or robotic systems. Using artificial intelligence assistance, the system reduces reliance on human operators and increases operational efficiency. This approach directly meets the demands of future combat concepts that emphasize autonomy and large-scale deployment.
It is built as a software control and autonomy layer that runs across multiple unmanned platforms, abstracting the hardware and sensors into a unified operating environment. The system ingests real-time video, inertial, and navigation data from each asset and processes it through onboard and edge-based AI modules that handle localization, path planning, and object recognition. Tasking is distributed at the software level, allowing individual drones or robots to execute assigned functions independently while remaining synchronized through the control architecture.
The software is designed to operate in contested environments where GPS signals are blocked and communications are disrupted—conditions that are becoming increasingly common in modern warfare. This capability ensures functional continuity in critical situations where other systems might fail. The platform is not limited to aerial vehicles; it can also manage ground robots and unmanned maritime platforms, giving it multi-domain flexibility.
Recently, the company entered a strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin. As part of the collaboration, the operating system will be integrated into their multi-domain command-and-control architecture.
This integration of innovative Israeli technology into key American defense systems is a significant step that not only validates the platform’s capabilities but also positions it as a vital component in the modernization efforts of Western militaries, signaling its role in shaping the future of autonomous warfare.
