HX-2 is a German electrically propelled X-wing loitering munition from Helsing, built around onboard AI, Altra networked strike software, and mass-production methods intended to give Ukraine and NATO partners a low-cost precision-strike option against armor, artillery, command posts, and other battlefield targets.
Helsing announced 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for delivery to Ukraine in February 2025, following an HF-1 order already being delivered with Ukrainian industry. In January 2026, Helsing said HX-2 had been tested in Ukrainian frontline operations, approved for frontline use, listed in a Ukrainian army ordering system, and was being delivered at several hundred drones per month, while press reporting still noted disputed claims about trial problems and follow-on orders.
Role detailsHelsing's February 2025 Ukraine announcement linked HX-2 production to a Southern Germany Resilience Factory, with an initial output above 1,000 HX-2 per month and additional European sites planned. Public reporting in January 2026 added an important qualification: Helsing disputed claims that Ukrainian orders had been suspended after trials, said HX-2 was approved for frontline use and being delivered at several hundred units per month, while Ukrainian and German authorities had not publicly resolved the follow-on order status in detail.
HX-2 is best understood as a munition tied to a software stack rather than a standalone airframe. Helsing describes onboard AI for target search and re-identification without a continuous link, while Altra connects multiple HX-2 systems with ISR, artillery, and battlefield-management data.
Helsing states that a human operator remains in or on the loop for critical decisions, and ESD reported final target confirmation before terminal approach.
Official material says the drone is designed to continue search and engagement tasks without GNSS or a continuous data connection, while Navy Leaders described camera-based terrain navigation against stored maps.
Altra integration is described as enabling one operator to coordinate multiple HX-2 systems with supporting reconnaissance and strike assets.
HX-2's public development path also includes a munitions supply-chain track. In June 2026, Helsing and EURENCO announced a memorandum of understanding for European-made HX-2 warheads, with the first configuration intended to meet French operational requirements and with Helsing's existing Instalaza partnership remaining in place.
Helsing announced HX-2 as an electrically propelled X-wing precision munition with onboard AI, a range up to 100 km, Altra swarm integration, and production already underway.
Sources: Helsing HX-2 unveiling
Helsing announced production of 6,000 HX-2 strike drones for Ukraine and said its first Southern Germany Resilience Factory had an initial capacity above 1,000 HX-2 per month.
Sources: Helsing 6000 Ukraine drones
Helsing released official HX-2 field-test footage after military-led trials in four countries, with the video showing launch and strike-test activity.
Sources: AeroTime HX-2 field tests, Helsing HX-2 Field Testing video
AeroTime reported Helsing's denial that Ukraine had suspended HX-2 orders, while noting public uncertainty over follow-on purchases after reports of frontline testing issues.
Sources: AeroTime HX-2 Ukraine order denial
Navy Leaders reported that Helsing had launched an HX-2 from a fast insertion craft off Plymouth, extending the system's demonstrated launch-platform flexibility beyond land-based trials.
Sources: Navy Leaders HX-2 littoral launch
Axios reported that U.S. soldiers tested German-made HX-2 drones during Project Flytrap in Lithuania and that the systems spotted and struck targets during the exercise.
Sources: Axios Project Flytrap HX-2
Helsing and EURENCO signed a memorandum of understanding for sovereign European warheads for HX-2, initially aimed at French operational requirements, while Helsing said its Instalaza partnership remained in place.
Sources: Helsing EURENCO HX-2 warheads
