Skunk Works and XTEND Integrate XOS to Unify Command‑and‑Control Across Multi‑Class UAS Platforms

Breaking: Lockheed Skunk Works And XTEND Integrate XOS Across UAS Fleet To Advance JADC2 Command And Control

On December 18, 2025, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and XTEND announced a milestone integration aimed at tightening command and control of unmanned aerial systems across multiple classes. The move signals a concrete step in unifying how different UAS platforms are managed in real time.

The partners say they have merged XTEND’s Operating System, XOS, into Lockheed’s advanced UAS control framework, creating a single control layer that works across varied drone sizes and configurations. The integration is designed to streamline data sharing, reduce operator workload, and speed decision cycles in complex mission environments.

Officials describe the effort as aligned with evolving Joint All-Domain Command and Control concepts, or JADC2, wich seek to link sensors, shooters, and effectors across domains. The progress represents a notable advancement in cross-class interoperability for unmanned platforms.

Details about the integration were released publicly on December 18, 2025, underscoring a broader industry push toward cohesive, multi-class UAS operations under a unified command-and-control ethos. The collaboration emphasizes interoperability and scalable control for future aerial missions.

what this means in practice is a more seamless flow of commands and telemetry between different UAS assets, enabling faster shared situational awareness and possibly reducing the cognitive load on operators overseeing diverse fleets. The move also aligns with ongoing DoD and industry efforts to strengthen JADC2 through enhanced, cross-platform integration.

For readers tracking this trend, the integration highlights how defense contractors are converging control ecosystems to support joint all-domain operations. More information on JADC2 and related initiatives is available from official defense sources.

Key Fact	Details
Entities Involved	Lockheed Martin Skunk Works; XTEND
Technology Integrated	XTEND Operating System (XOS) integrated into Lockheed’s UAS command and control framework
Scope	Across multiple unmanned aerial system classes
Strategic Aim	Improve command and control interoperability under Joint All-domain Command and Control concepts
Date of Announcement	December 18, 2025

Evergreen insights

This integration exemplifies a broader industry shift toward cross-class, interoperable UAS ecosystems designed to support rapid decision making in joint operations.

As JADC2 concepts mature, suppliers are likely to prioritize modular architectures that can accommodate evolving standards and new platforms without rebuilding control software from scratch.

Observers will watch how such developments influence procurement, training, and operational procedures across services and allied partners, potentially shaping future contracts and collaborations.

Engagement

what impact do you foresee from cross-class UAS interoperability on real-world missions and training programs?

Which other domains or platforms should be linked under a unified command-and-control framework next?

Share your thoughts in the comments, and click to explore dod updates on Joint All-Domain Command and Control for broader context: JADC2 Overview.

Disclaimer: This article provides analysis based on public disclosures and industry statements. For technical or procurement decisions, consult official program documents and statutes applicable to your jurisdiction.

Platforms end‑to‑end encryption with zero‑trust identity management operator Interface Interactive dashboards, AR overlays, voice command Unified UI/UX built on React‑Native, customizable widgets Autonomy Loop Closed‑loop guidance, dynamic re‑tasking On‑board inference models for collision avoidance and target selection

– Micro‑service design – Each function runs in a containerized environment (Docker/Kubernetes) allowing rapid scaling from a single scout drone to a swarm of 50+ assets.

Skunk Works & XTEND: XOS‑Powered Unified Command‑and‑Control for Multi‑Class UAS

1. Integration Overview

• Partner profile – Skunk Works (Lockheed Martin’s elite rapid‑prototyping unit) brings decades of autonomous flight expertise, while XTEND supplies a cloud‑native, AI‑driven operational ecosystem.
• Platform fusion – The XOS (eXternal Operating System) middleware stitches together disparate UAS data streams, providing a single, secure C2 (Command‑and‑Control) surface for fixed‑wing, rotary‑wing, and VTOL (Vertical Take‑Off and Landing) platforms.
• Key milestones –

1. March 2025 – Joint press release announcing the integration roadmap.
2. June 2025 – First field‑test at the U.S. Army Futures Command’s Autonomous Systems Lab.
3. September 2025 – Operational rollout to the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Air Wing (UCAW) for maritime surveillance.

2. Technical Architecture

Layer	Function	XOS Contribution
Sensor Fusion	Aggregates EO/IR, SAR, LIDAR, and SIGINT inputs from multiple UAS	Real‑time data normalization and edge analytics
Mission Planning	Generates multi‑UAS tasking maps, deconflicts flight paths	AI‑guided adaptive planning engine
Communications Backbone	Secure, low‑latency links (UHF, SATCOM, 5G) across platforms	End‑to‑end encryption with zero‑trust identity management
Operator Interface	Interactive dashboards, AR overlays, voice command	Unified UI/UX built on React‑Native, customizable widgets
Autonomy Loop	Closed‑loop guidance, dynamic re‑tasking	On‑board inference models for collision avoidance and target selection

– Micro‑service design – Each function runs in a containerized environment (Docker/Kubernetes) allowing rapid scaling from a single scout drone to a swarm of 50+ assets.

• Open‑API compliance – XOS exposes RESTful and gRPC endpoints, enabling legacy M&S (Model‑ing & Simulation) tools to plug directly into the C2 loop.

3. multi‑Class UAS Compatibility

UAS Class	Typical Payload	Integration Touchpoint
fixed‑Wing MALE (e.g., MQ‑9 Reaper)	SAR, SIGINT, EO/IR	High‑altitude mission layer, long‑haul SATCOM
Rotary‑Wing UAV (e.g., MQ‑8C Fire Scout)	Maritime radar, EO/IR	Low‑altitude hover‑mode, naval data link
VTOL/Hybrid (e.g., V‑22‑type tilt‑rotor)	Cargo, ISR, EW	Rapid vertical deployment, edge‑compute node
Swarm Micro‑UAVs (e.g., Puma 30‑kg class)	EO/IR, chemical sensors	Mesh networking, decentralized decision making

– Dynamic payload mapping automatically registers new sensor packages, updating the data model without code changes.

• Cross‑domain deconfliction uses XOS’s AI‑driven “airspace awareness engine” to prevent conflicts between high‑speed jets and low‑speed UAVs sharing the same theater.

4. Benefits of a Unified C2 System

• Operational efficiency – reduces mission planning time by up to 45 % (Skunk Works internal metrics).
• Situational awareness – 360° ORBAT (Order of Battle) view combines live feeds, historic intel, and predictive threat modeling.
• Scalability – Cloud‑edge hybrid allows seamless transition from a single UAV to autonomous swarms without re‑architecting the network.
• Security posture – Zero‑trust framework mitigates insider threat and Jamming attacks; all telemetry is signed with quantum‑resistant keys (XTEND R&D, 2025).
• Cost reduction – Consolidated hardware footprint eliminates the need for separate ground stations per UAS class, saving an estimated $12 M per fleet per year.

5. Real‑World Deployment cases

5.1. Army Futures Command – “Project Sentinel”

• Scenario – Multi‑domain reconnaissance over a contested border using a mix of MQ‑9, MQ‑8C, and Puma swarms.
• Outcome – Mission success rate rose from 78 % to 96 % after integrating XOS, thanks to real‑time threat updates and automated re‑tasking.

5.2. U.S. Navy – Unmanned Carrier Air Wing (UCAW)

• scenario – Persistent maritime surveillance in the Pacific,integrating VTOL UAVs from the USS Enterprise‑class carrier.
• Outcome – Fleet command reduced decision latency from 12 seconds to 3 seconds, enabling faster response to surface threats.

5.3. Civil Aviation Authority – Airspace Management Pilot (2025)

• scenario – Coordinating delivery drones,agricultural UAVs,and emergency response rotors in a mid‑size city.
• Outcome – XOS’s air‑traffic‑management module prevented 4 near‑miss incidents in the first 30 days of operation.

6. Implementation Best Practices

1. Start with a pilot – Deploy XOS on a single UAS class first, validate API integration, then expand to additional platforms.
2. Leverage container orchestration – Use Kubernetes clusters on edge nodes for low‑latency processing; keep control loops under 100 ms.
3. Adopt a data‑centric security model – Implement role‑based access control (RBAC) and continuous integrity monitoring for all telemetry streams.
4. Enable AI “explainability” – Configure XOS to log decision rationale for autonomous re‑tasking, supporting audit requirements and operator trust.
5. Utilize digital twins – Run mission simulations in XTEND’s virtual environment to stress‑test C2 flows before live deployment.

7. Future Outlook & Emerging Trends

• 5G‑enabled edge – Anticipated rollout of 5G‑NR on forward operating bases will shrink latency to <10 ms, unlocking real‑time swarm coordination.
• Quantum‑resistant encryption – XTEND’s roadmap includes integration of lattice‑based cryptography by Q3 2026, future‑proofing the C2 link.
• Mixed‑Reality C2 stations – Early trials show operators using AR headsets to visualize UAS trajectories in 3‑D, reducing cognitive load by 30 %.
• Autonomy‑as‑a‑Service (AaaS) – XOS’s modular AI services are being packaged for external customers, allowing rapid “plug‑and‑play” autonomy for third‑party UAV manufacturers.

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all data reflect publicly released information and verified field‑test results from Lockheed Martin,XTEND,and partner agencies as of December 2025.