U.S. troops test German-made Helsing attack drones in Europe

Colin Demarest

Silhouette of a drone with large blades crossing in an X shape. Set against a dark blue sky. — An HX-2 drone in flight. Photo: Courtesy of Helsing

German defense company Helsing armed U.S. soldiers with HX-2 drones for drills in Lithuania, where they successfully spotted and struck targets.

Why it matters: This could be a sign of Helsing breaking into American markets. It's also a symptom of European rearmament.

Driving the news: At least one HX-2 launch was visible in the Army's own footage from Project Flytrap, a counter-drone exercise at Pabradė Training Area.

In a separate photo, Gen. Christopher Donahue, the head of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, can be seen huddling over an HX-2 transport box.

What they're saying: "Helsing was at Flytrap in force with their hardware and software engineers, as were many other companies," Alex Miller, the Army's chief technology officer, told Axios.

"The HX-2 was originally used as a one-way attack and counter-drone system," he said.
"But users that I spoke with informed me they were using it as a recon platform and a loitering munition, because it was able to find and track targets with onboard computer vision and fly even under jamming."

Context: Helsing's 17 drones notched 15 kills and two near-misses.

Zoom out: A total 200 drone flights were conducted at this latest Flytrap. The exercise started as a means to think through counter-drone capabilities for maneuver units.

Catch up quick: Helsing, founded in 2021, is closing in on a $1.2 billion funding round. The Munich-based company would be valued at $18 billion.

Go deeper: A defense-tech perfect storm brews in Europe

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U.S. troops test German-made Helsing attack drones in Europe

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