A new collaboration between Lockheed Martin and XTEND aims to reshape how drones are controlled on the battlefield, turning missions that once needed multiple operators into a single, streamlined interface.
The partnership will integrate Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform with XTEND’s XOS operating system. Skunk Works is a subsidiary of Lockheed.
The goal: create a Multi-Class MDCX workstation that will allow one operator to control and manage multiple classes of drones simultaneously.
The approach is intended to improve situational awareness for lower-level mission execution in joint all-domain command-and-control (JADC2) scenarios.
In a recent demo, a single operator used the integrated system to manage a mission where a larger drone deployed a smaller unmanned aerial vehicle for a close-range task.
Controlling the smaller drone previously required handing off to a separate operator, relying on first-person views, mark-and-fly commands, and immersive control tools.
With the new system, the same operator can now manage both drones from a single workstation, maintaining continuous oversight of the mission.
One Operator, Many Drones
XOS is built to let new operators perform missions at near-expert level, cutting training time while boosting effectiveness and decision-making.
Its intuitive control interface simplifies complex drone operations and shortens the learning curve, making multi-drone control more accessible.
Integrated AI supports autonomous missions, allowing drones to execute sub-tasks independently while reserving high-level decisions for the human operator.
Built on a platform-agnostic, open architecture, XOS works with third-party hardware, flexible payloads, and a variety of command-and-control systems.
It is optimized for swarm operations, enabling a single operator to manage multiple platforms and seamlessly switch between control modes and autonomous behaviors as missions evolve.
