Israeli defense technology company XTEND Reality Inc. has secured a multi-million-dollar contract from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to develop and deliver Affordable Close Quarter Modular Effects Drone Kits (ACQME-DK). The deal was awarded through the Pentagon’s Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) office to enhance the tactical capabilities of small combat units in urban and confined environments.
Under the agreement, XTEND will manage production, training, and sustainment operations through its Tampa, Florida facility, establishing a domestic supply chain for U.S. forces. The ACQME-DK systems are designed to enable precision strikes and reconnaissance missions without exposing soldiers to direct combat threats, offering a vital technological edge in modern asymmetric warfare.
The modular drone kits allow troops to reconfigure their UAS platforms for various missions — including surveillance, electronic attack, and one-way strike operations. Each kit integrates XTEND’s proprietary high-voltage Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD), which ensures that munitions can only be activated under authorized and safe conditions.
To support multi-drone coordination, the systems employ a dual-communication setup combining fiber-optic and radio connectivity, minimizing signal delays and interference. XTEND’s proprietary XOS operating system unifies sensors, radars, payloads, and third-party modules under a single mission control network, reflecting the Pentagon’s growing shift toward low-cost, AI-assisted autonomous combat solutions for small units operating in complex terrains.
