A Lithuanian company, Granta Autonomy, has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered loitering munition called “X-WING.” This innovative drone features fixed-wing capabilities with the added advantage of vertical takeoff and landing.
Weighing in at 12 kilograms (26 pounds), the X-WING is designed to autonomously navigate towards its targets, even in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-denied environments. Its AI capabilities allow it to effectively track heavily camouflaged targets, showcasing its advanced technology.
The drone is equipped with a 4-kilogram (8.8-pound) warhead, which is capable of penetrating heavily armored vehicles and creating significant fragmentation effects. This makes the X-WING remarkably effective against both armored threats and less-protected targets, including radars and air defense systems, with a striking operational range of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles).
In addition to its formidable offensive capabilities, the X-WING is integrated with Granta’s microgimbal, boasting both a daytime camera and a thermal imager. This dual-format allows the drone to detect and capture images of objects in a variety of conditions, ensuring operational effectiveness in both daylight and low-visibility scenarios.
CEO and Co-founder Gediminas Guoba emphasized that the development of the X-WING reflects the company’s battlefield-proven philosophy, which has been shaped by their experience supplying first-person view (FPV) and reconnaissance drones to the Ukrainian frontlines. He highlighted the drone’s tactical flexibility and the company’s ambitions for large-scale production, targeting output of thousands of units per month.
The loitering munition is designed with a Datalink solution compatible with most ground station software, enhancing its operational versatility. Furthermore, it can function in conjunction with Granta’s Hornet XR fixed-wing reconnaissance drone, which supports a three-hour endurance and a range of 100 miles (161 kilometers).
The Hornet XR is already deployed by Ukrainian forces in their efforts against the Russian military. Guoba has previously noted that it is the only drone capable of operating effectively in areas with intense jamming, underscoring its significance on the modern battlefield.
