- Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and XTEND integrated XTEND’s XOS into the MDCX platform to allow a single operator to control multiple classes of uncrewed aerial systems.
- The integration was demonstrated in a marsupial drone mission, reducing manpower requirements and eliminating the need for mission handoffs between operators.
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and XTEND have completed a new integration effort aimed at improving command and control of uncrewed aerial systems across multiple classes, a development tied to evolving joint all-domain command and control concepts.
According to information released on December 18, 2025, the two companies integrated XTEND’s Operating System, known as XOS, into Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform. The integration is intended to allow a single operator to command and control multiple classes of uncrewed aircraft at the same time, improving situational awareness during lower-level mission execution in joint all-domain C2, or JADC2, scenarios.
As noted by the companies, the integration supports simultaneous command and control of different UAS classes, reducing the need for multiple operators and mission handoffs during complex operations.
In November, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and XTEND demonstrated an integrated Multi-Class MDCX, or MC-MDCX, workstation during a marsupial drone mission. In that demonstration, a larger uncrewed aircraft delivered a smaller Class 1 drone, which then carried out a close-in mission.
Under earlier operational constructs, control of the smaller drone would typically be transferred to a different operator with lower-level controls. These controls include first-person views, mark-and-fly commands, and immersive environments that allow the drone operator to execute the mission in detail. With the planned integration of XTEND’s XOS into Lockheed Martin’s MC-MDCX platform, the same operator can now conduct both the delivery and the close-in mission without handing control to another team member.
According to the companies, the integration demonstration showed a reduction in overall manpower requirements for complex missions. By removing the need to pass control between operators, the system also improved situational awareness across the mission space, allowing a single operator to maintain continuity throughout the operation.
XTEND is described by the companies as a provider of combat-proven drone command-and-control solutions used by military forces worldwide. Its systems are designed to support operations in contested environments, including conditions where Global Positioning System signals are denied or radio-frequency datalinks are jammed.
The companies said XOS enables operators with limited experience to conduct missions at near expert-level proficiency, reducing training time and supporting faster mission execution. The operating system is designed to support a layered response and operational stepdown process, allowing forces to adapt control methods as conditions change.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works said it is now working with XTEND to examine how these techniques can be applied to broader JADC2 missions and decision loops, with the goal of advancing autonomous systems and improving coordination across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Skunk Works has focused in recent years on concepts that link piloted aircraft and uncrewed systems, allowing them to operate together as part of a coordinated force. The company says this approach is intended to shorten the time between data collection and decision-making while improving safety for human operators.
“We continue to collaborate with and invest in enabling technologies to keep our customers ahead of emerging threats,” Skunk Works said in its statement.
Marsupial drone concepts, in which a larger platform deploys smaller uncrewed systems, are being explored as a way to extend reach, reduce risk to crews, and maintain persistence in contested areas. However, these concepts often require multiple operators and complex coordination, which can slow execution.
By allowing a single operator to control multiple classes of drones through a unified interface, the Skunk Works–XTEND integration is intended to address those constraints. The companies say this approach could support faster decision-making and more flexible mission execution in future operations.