XTEND Reality Inc., a global leader in human-guided autonomous drones, has launched its new U.S. drone facility and headquarters in Tampa. The company marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders, federal officials, and military representatives.
The Tampa drone facility will produce and integrate XTEND’s advanced systems to support critical defense operations across the United States. This strategic move aligns with national efforts to reduce foreign technology reliance and boost homeland security.
“We’re creating more than drones, we’re building trust and resilience,” said Aviv Shapira, CEO and Co-founder of XTEND. “This new drone facility demonstrates our mission to deliver the most advanced, ready-to-deploy solutions for U.S. defense. Tampa offers a strong foundation to scale our impact.”
Founded in 2018 by Aviv and Matteo Shapira with Rubi Liani, XTEND emerged from the founders’ prior success Replay Technologies acquired by Intel in 2016 for $175 million.
“Our goal is to offer unmatched operator control and system performance,” added Rubi Liani, CTO and Co-founder. “By operating from the U.S., we can quickly integrate and tailor innovations to mission needs. This facility allows us to deliver engineering excellence right where it matters.”
Roy Levy, Vice President and U.S. General Manager, emphasized the significance: “This isn’t just a business expansion; it’s a promise to speed up mission-ready deployments. Our systems are built for reliability and rapid response.”
Dr. Peter Kash, XTEND’s Board Chairman, noted, “This marks a new era in our U.S. g rowth journey. We’re investing in high-tech job creation and defense capabilities. This site reflects Florida’s rising role in AI, robotics, and aerospace development.”
The facility will focus on building Group 1 drones for the U.S. Department of Defense. Over time, XTEND plans to manufacture essential drone parts such as communication modules, motors, and controllers to support broader industry needs.
The expansion will also create numerous skilled jobs and position Florida as a vital hub for defense and aerospace manufacturing.
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Source: prnewswire.com
