US defense firm XTEND is expanding into the UK with a new robotics production facility following a $2.25-million order tied to British military programs.
US defense firm XTEND is expanding into the UK with a new robotics production facility following a 1.93-million-pound ($2.25-million) order tied to British military programs.
The company said the new UK-based XFAB facility in Swindon will support localized production of AI-powered autonomous systems for British and NATO defense customers.
XTEND added that it plans to invest up to 20 million pounds ($26 million) over time to expand the site and related sovereign operational capabilities.
The new facility is based on XTEND’s localized manufacturing model already used in US defense programs.
At the center of XTEND’s systems is its XOS operating platform, which allows multiple robotic platforms to operate through a unified control layer. The company said the system is designed for contested and GNSS-denied environments and reduces operator workload and training demands.
UK Investment in AI Drones
The expansion comes as the UK pushes to increase the use of autonomous and AI-enabled systems across future combat programs.
In May, the UK Ministry of Defence shortlisted four companies to share 10 million pounds ($13.3 million) for the development of AI-enabled drones designed to operate alongside AH-64E Apache helicopters.
In April, the British military also tested AI-powered drones for rapidly identifying threats such as landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Earlier, in December, London awarded Thales a 10-million-pound ($13.5-million) contract to develop AI-assisted command centers for detecting and neutralizing sea mines.
