Helsing

Helsing is a German defence technology company founded in March 2021 by computational biologist Torsten Reil, former German Ministry of Defence official Gundbert Scherf and machine-learning engineer Niklas Köhler, headquartered in Munich.

History and products

Helsing develops artificial-intelligence software for military decision-making and sensor fusion, alongside hardware including strike drones and underwater surveillance systems. The company's business spans software that other militaries' sensors and weapons can run, and hardware of its own design, a combination its founders have said is intended to bring commercial-style software development speed to European defence programmes. Daniel Ek, the co-founder of Spotify, chairs Helsing's board.

Helsing's Altra reconnaissance-and-strike software is designed to combine multiple aircraft, including its own HX-2 strike drone, into swarms controlled by a single human operator, who remains in or on the loop for critical engagement decisions. Helsing has expanded production of strike drones for Ukraine, including large orders funded by Germany, and has said it intends to build further manufacturing capacity, including new factories, across Europe to scale output in the event of a wider conflict.

Products on this site

The HX-2 is Helsing's electrically propelled strike drone, in production and supplied to Ukraine.