U.S. Army Tests German-Made Helsing HX-2 Loitering Munition in Lithuania, Achieves 88% Hit Rate
During the 'Project Flytrap 5.0' exercise in Lithuania, the U.S. Army test-fired 17 rounds of the Helsing HX-2 loitering munition, successfully striking 15 targets for an 88% effectiveness rate. The AI-guided HX-2, developed by Munich-based defense tech firm Helsing, has a 100 km range, exceeds 200 km/h, and is already deployed on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Highlights
- During 'Project Flytrap 5.0' in Lithuania, the U.S. Army fired 17 Helsing HX-2 loitering munitions and successfully hit 15 targets, achieving an 88% effectiveness rate.
- The HX-2, developed by Munich-based Helsing, has a 100 km range, exceeds 200 km/h, weighs 12 kg with a 4 kg warhead, and costs approximately €44,000 per unit.
- The HX-2's onboard AI enables navigation, target tracking, and mission execution in GPS-denied or communications-degraded environments, and supports single-operator swarm control.
- Helsing announced in 2025 plans to deliver thousands of HX-2 units to Ukraine, establishing one of Europe's largest loitering munition mass-production programs.
- The U.S. Army evaluated the HX-2 in both strike and counter-drone mission scenarios, highlighting growing military interest in multi-role autonomous systems.
U.S. Army Tests Helsing HX-2 Loitering Munition in Lithuania, Achieving 88% Hit Rate
The U.S. Army has reportedly tested the HX-2 loitering munition — developed by Munich-based defense technology company Helsing — during the 'Project Flytrap 5.0' exercise held in Lithuania. The drone system is already seeing active combat use with Ukrainian forces.
Exercise Results
According to reports, 17 HX-2 rounds were fired during the exercise, with 15 successfully striking their targets and 2 achieving near-hits, yielding an effectiveness rate of approximately 88%. These engagements were part of more than 200 drone sorties conducted throughout the exercise.
HX-2 Technical Specifications
First unveiled in 2024, the HX-2 is a 'software-defined' loitering munition designed from the ground up for mass production and swarm operations. According to Helsing's published specifications:
- Range: Up to 100 km
- Maximum speed: Over 200 km/h
- Total weight: Approximately 12 kg, with a 4 kg warhead payload
AI-Driven Autonomous Capability
The HX-2 is equipped with an onboard artificial intelligence system capable of supporting navigation, target tracking, and mission execution — even in GPS-denied or communications-degraded environments. The manufacturer states that multiple HX-2 units can be commanded by a single operator for coordinated swarm missions.
Ukrainian Combat Validation Draws Attention
A key reason this trial has attracted significant attention is that the HX-2 is already operationally deployed in Ukraine. Helsing announced in 2025 that it plans to deliver thousands of HX-2 units to Ukraine, making it one of the largest loitering munition mass-production programs in Europe to date.
The U.S. Army reportedly evaluated the HX-2 across both strike and counter-drone mission scenarios, reflecting the military's growing interest in multi-role autonomous systems capable of integrating reconnaissance, interception, and precision strike in a single platform.
Unit Cost
The HX-2 is reported to carry a unit price of approximately €44,000 (roughly $50,000 USD).
Image credits: U.S. Army, Helsing Sources: Axios, Helsing
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