XTEND Selected as Gauntlet II Top Performer in $1 Billion U.S. Drone Dominance Program

XTEND (XTND) was selected as a top performer in the Close Quarters Battle segment of Gauntlet II within the U.S. Department of War’s iterative $1 billion Drone Dominance Program (DDP), following delivery and demonstration of 120 STRIKER systems.

Rhea-AI Summary

XTEND (XTND) was selected as a top performer in the Close Quarters Battle segment of Gauntlet II within the U.S. Department of War’s iterative $1 billion Drone Dominance Program (DDP), following delivery and demonstration of 120 STRIKER systems.

The systems were tested in operationally realistic scenarios and evaluated by U.S. warfighters, which the company describes as a major validation of STRIKER’s capabilities. STRIKER is powered by XTEND’s proprietary XOS operating system and is designed for tactical missions in confined, complex and GNSS-denied environments. The DDP aims to build a resilient, U.S.-based supply chain for low-cost, capable one-way attack drone systems, with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division acting as contracting authority.

Market Context

XTND's prior close was $4.46 before the announcement; its active S-3ASR, effective through 2029-09-0...

Analysis

XTND's prior close was $4.46 before the announcement; its active S-3ASR, effective through 2029-09-04, disclosed no offering amount or terms, leaving no sourced financing size to compare with the program selection.

Key Figures

Program value: $1 billion STRIKER systems delivered: 120 systems

Program value

$1 billion

U.S. Drone Dominance Program

STRIKER systems delivered

120 systems

Gauntlet II operational demonstrations

Key Terms

close quarters battle, gnss-denied, one-way attack drone systems

3 terms

close quarters battle technical

"top performer in the close quarters battle segment"

An intense, short-range fight where opponents are physically very near each other, often involving rapid, chaotic exchanges and little maneuvering room. In business and financial writing the phrase is commonly used metaphorically to describe extremely close, high-pressure competition or disputes—for example a tight market battle, aggressive negotiations, or legal skirmishes—that can quickly affect a company’s performance or strategy. Think of it as a crowded, no-easy-escape struggle where small actions have immediate consequences.

gnss-denied technical

"designed for tactical missions in confined, complex and GNSS-denied environments"

GNSS-denied describes situations where devices or operations cannot receive signals from satellite navigation systems like GPS, either because signals are blocked, jammed, spoofed or otherwise unavailable. For investors, it signals a need for alternative technologies or safeguards—like inertial sensors, local beacons or mapping systems—because businesses that rely on satellite positioning (drones, ships, autonomous vehicles, network timing) may face service disruption, safety risks, or added costs to stay resilient.

one-way attack drone systems technical

"supply chain for low-cost, capable one-way attack drone systems"

Unmanned aerial systems designed to strike a target and not return, typically carrying an explosive or kinetic payload and guided to impact like a flying guided munition. Think of them as single-use, remotely launched aircraft that substitute for a missile or bomb. They matter to investors because development, manufacture, export controls, military procurement, and battlefield use affect defense company revenues, supply chains, regulatory risk, and geopolitical exposure.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

XTEND selected as a Gauntlet II leader in the Close Quarters Battle segment following successful delivery and demonstration of 120 STRIKER systems

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XTEND AI Robotics, Inc. (NYSE: XTND) today announced that it was selected as a top performer in the close quarters battle segment of Gauntlet II of the U.S. Department of War’s iterative $1 billion Drone Dominance Program (DDP).

The result follows XTEND’s successful delivery and demonstration of 120 STRIKER systems in operationally realistic scenarios evaluated by warfighters for Gauntlet II, and marks another significant milestone in the company’s growing role in U.S. defense programs.

“This is a major win for XTEND,” said Aviv Shapira, Co-Founder and CEO of XTEND. “We delivered, we competed, and we proved what STRIKER is capable of in the hands of U.S. warfighters. This achievement demonstrates the strength of our technology.”

STRIKER is powered by XTEND’s proprietary XOS operating system and is designed for tactical missions in confined, complex and GNSS-denied environments.

The $1 billion U.S. Department of War Drone Dominance Program is building a resilient, U.S.-based supply chain for low-cost, capable one-way attack drone systems, jointly managed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) serves as the DDP contracting authority.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the capabilities of XOS and its STRIKER system and its financial prospects, including that according to the Drone Dominance Program the 10 companies selected for Gauntlet II are finalists for prototype contracts and awards are not guaranteed. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the timing and size of orders from government and defense customers, geopolitical and economic conditions in the United States and the other regions in which XTEND operates, and the other risks described under "Risk Factors" in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination and in XTEND's other filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. XTEND does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

About XTEND AI Robotics, Inc.

XTEND is a leader in software systems and Physical AI, deployed in high-threat, complex operational environments where human exposure carries significant risk. Powered by its proprietary XTEND Operating System (XOS), XTEND’s integrated software and advanced robotic hardware solutions are designed to provide autonomy at the edge. Operating across Defense, Homeland Security, and Commercial Security missions through a platform of robots, drones, and robotic subsystems, XTEND’s open architecture platform facilitates scalability across partners and third-party applications. With over 12,500 systems deployed in over 30 countries, XTEND’s solutions have been validated in five combat zones and operationally deployed by national defense, special-mission units, and security organizations across the globe. Founded in Tel Aviv, Israel, and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, XTEND delivers NDAA-compliant solutions through a global network of regional XFAB manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, Israel, Mexico and Latvia.

Contacts
XTEND Media Contact:
Headline Media
Sarah Small
929-255-1449
sarah@headline.media

XTEND Investor Relations:
MZ North America
Shannon Devine
203-741-8811
XTND@mzgroup.us

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is XTEND’s STRIKER system designed to do?

STRIKER is powered by XTEND’s proprietary XOS operating system and is designed for tactical missions in confined, complex and GNSS-denied environments, supporting close quarters battle use cases.

What is the purpose of the U.S. Department of War’s Drone Dominance Program?

The $1 billion Drone Dominance Program (DDP) is intended to build a resilient, U.S.-based supply chain for low-cost, capable one-way attack drone systems, supporting domestic industrial capacity for these platforms.

Who manages and contracts for the Drone Dominance Program?

The DDP is jointly managed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) serving as the contracting authority.