XTEND selected for Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Program Phase II

XTEND, an AI software and robotics company founded in Tel Aviv and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has been chosen for Phase II of the US Defense Department’s Drone Dominance Program (DDP). The initiative seeks to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous drone technologies across the US military, with a goal of procuring over 200,000 drones by 2027. Phase II will involve testing systems at Camp Grayling, Michigan, in complex operational scenarios. XTEND’s XOS operating system, designed for human-guided autonomous platforms, will be evaluated for its ability to scale rapidly and operate reliably in contested environments. The company’s participation reflects the Pentagon’s focus on AI-powered autonomy and operational robotics for future defense needs. The DDP previously announced a $1 billion procurement plan for small lethal drones over two years, aiming to assess whether the US drone ecosystem can manufacture low-cost systems at scale. XTEND was among 26 companies in the first Gauntlet but did not secure a production contract, though it remains eligible for later phases. In May, the DDP awarded five companies—including Israeli startup Kela Technology—for their lethal payload solutions in the ‘Lethality Challenge.’ Winners received $10,000 and were added to a preferred munitions list. XTEND’s advancement into Phase II highlights its growing role in the US defense sector despite earlier non-selection. The program’s Phase II will test whether autonomous systems can meet military demands in contested environments, with XTEND’s XOS system positioned as a key solution. The Pentagon’s emphasis on scalable autonomy underscores the shifting priorities in modern defense technology.