Key Takeaways
- Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and XTEND are integrating XTEND’s operating system into Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform to enable a single operator to command and control multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
- The integration aims to improve situational awareness and operational efficiency in joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) scenarios.
- The companies are exploring the use of the integrated system for future JADC2 missions, including the "marsupial drone" concept, where a larger UAS deploys a smaller drone to conduct close-range operations.
- The collaboration reflects a broader shift towards distributed command-and-control architectures capable of operating in highly contested environments.
Introduction to Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and XTEND
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and Israeli drone company XTEND are expanding their cooperation by integrating XTEND’s operating system into Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform. This integration will enable a single operator to simultaneously command and control multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), with the goal of improving situational awareness and operational efficiency. Skunk Works is Lockheed Martin’s advanced development division, known for pioneering new aerospace and defense technologies, including advanced aircraft, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), and command-and-control systems.
Classified Advanced Technology
Skunk Works has "always been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, and we love tackling new challenges," according to Candis Roussel, integrated communications manager at Lockheed Martin. The company has been around since the 1950s, driving innovation in aerospace engineering, and its mission is to keep pace with the rapidly evolving environment and provide the safety, data, and agility that pilots and warfighters need to operate quickly and effectively. However, 97% of Skunk Works’ work is classified, giving only a glimpse into the complexity and advanced capabilities the teams are developing.
XTEND’s Specialization in Autonomous Drone Systems
Founded in Israel and based in Tel Aviv, XTEND specializes in human-guided autonomous drone systems for defense and security applications. The company operates globally, with offices in Israel, the United States, Singapore, and Latvia. XTEND’s drone command-and-control (C2) systems are used by militaries around the world and are designed to operate in harsh and contested environments, including scenarios in which GPS signals are denied or communications are jammed.
Battle-Tested Technology and Future Autonomy
XTEND’s CEO, Aviv Shapira, emphasized that the company’s technology is "battle-proven, something you can’t buy," and that operating with remotes saves lives. The integration of XTEND’s operating system into Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform reflects a broader shift within Western militaries toward distributed command-and-control architectures capable of operating in highly contested environments. George Hellstern, Lockheed Martin Senior Technology Fellow for Autonomy and AI Mission Systems, noted that XTEND was a natural fit for the collaboration, and that the company’s command and control station has been working to incorporate customer feedback for decades.
Toward Scalable Remote Operations in Contested Environments
The companies intend to explore the use of the integrated system for future Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) missions. In a demonstration conducted in November, they showcased an integrated Multi-Class MDCX (MC-MDCX) workstation supporting a "marsupial drone" mission. During the test, a larger UAS deployed a smaller Class 1 drone to conduct a close-range operation, with both platforms controlled by a single operator. The "marsupial approach" starts with larger platforms carrying smaller ones, all operated from one ground station, and can scale to additional platforms.
Pushing Forward with Collaboration
Following the successful demonstration, both companies are now looking to bring the technology to the battlefield. Hellstern and Shapira are excited to push this technology forward, with Shapira emphasizing that the only way to scale the program is through collaboration. The collaboration is about building software that wins missions through smarter, higher-quality products, and the companies are now looking for end users who can give feedback and use the system in battle.