XTEND

Additional Details

XTEND is an Israeli developer of AI-powered tactical drones, smart loitering munitions, and remote robotic operating systems. Their systems include AI-piloted indoor combat drones, known as "Wolverines," which have been used in the Gaza genocide. The company was founded in 2018 by Aviv Shapira, Matteo Shapira, Rubi Liani, and Adir Tubi. XTEND specializes in human-guided autonomous machine systems for defense applications. XTEND was originally founded as a gaming company that used drone-based extended reality (XR) technology alongside virtual reality to simulate flight in video games. However, following the events of October 7, 2023, the founders realized how their technology could support Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel. They subsequently developed a new Concept of Operations (CONOPS) in which drones enter the battlefield ahead of ground troops. In 2025, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Procurement (DOPP) announced that XTEND won a tender, worth millions of dollars, to supply thousands of advanced First Person View (FPV) drones to the IDF Ground Forces. The project is being led by the IDF’s Ground Forces and the Technological and Logistics Directorate. In an interview with Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post, Shapira explained that while 80% of their products are aerial drones, 20% consist of ground platforms. All of their platforms have been combat-proven in operations within the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.