Israeli Drone Company XTEND Expands with New U.S. Headquarters and Manufacturing Plant in Tampa

Tampa, Fla., XTEND Reality Inc., an Israeli leader in human-guided autonomous drone systems, officially opened its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Tampa, Florida, on July 1, marking a major milestone in domestic drone production and national security efforts. The ribbon‑cutting ceremony drew federal, state and local officials—including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Israel’s Consul General in Miami—alongside military personnel, underscoring the strategic partnerships driving innovation at the new site.

XTEND was founded in 2018 by brothers Aviv and Matteo Shapira in partnership with Rubi Liani. Before launching XTEND, the Shapira brothers co-founded Replay Technologies, which was acquired by Intel in 2016 for $175 million.

“Drones and robots are the new future,” said Aviv Shapira, XTEND chief executive officer and co-founder.

“We have a number of Israeli businesses that have either expanded in the Tampa Bay region or moved their entire operation. So that relationship is wonderful,” says Mayor Jane Castor

XTEND Ramps Up U.S. Drone Production as Battle-Tested Tech Expands Globally

“We are now able to manufacture about 3,000 drones a month and are looking to grow. It’s just the beginning,” XTEND Chief Executive Officer Aviv Shapira told FOX News.

XTEND’s drones are battle-tested and currently deployed in five active conflict zones around the world, including Ukraine, Israel and by U.S. military operators.

“When it’s another brain to think alongside with a human, this is AI, to navigate, to expand the human capabilities. To empower the human. This is what we are doing with the drones. Giving it more power,” says Rubi Liani Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder, XTEND to FOX News.

“We are not just building drones, we are building capabilities, resilience and trust,” said XTEND Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Aviv Shapira. “This facility marks a new chapter for XTEND in the United States and reflects our commitment to delivering the most advanced, mission-ready systems to our customers. We’re proud to establish our U.S. headquarters in Tampa and grateful for the strong support from local, state and federal partners as we continue to scale our operations,” also says Shapira.

SOCOM Collaboration Key to XTEND’s Expansion and Human-AI Drone Deployment

Logistically, establishing a headquarters in Tampa made sense for XTEND, given its ongoing partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), located just down the road at MacDill Air Force Base.

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, oversees the nation’s most elite military units, including Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and Air Force Special Tactics teams. XTEND has partnered with SOCOM to develop and deploy human-guided drone systems designed to enhance situational awareness and reduce risk to personnel during complex missions. The collaboration reflects SOCOM’s push to integrate cutting-edge, dual-use technologies that can be rapidly adapted for the battlefield.

How XTEND’s U.S. Growth Aligns With American Interests in Ukraine and Israel

XTEND’s new headquarters in Tampa positions the Israeli drone company at the heart of U.S. defense innovation—just as demand surges for battlefield-proven drone technology in global hotspots like Ukraine and Israel. With its proximity to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and integration into American defense manufacturing, XTEND is primed to accelerate the delivery of its human-guided, AI-enabled drones to U.S. allies and operators in active war zones.

The company’s systems are already deployed in both Ukraine and Israel, where real-time situational awareness and precision support are vital on contested front lines. By establishing a domestic production hub, XTEND ensures faster deployment, streamlined procurement, and tighter coordination with U.S. military planners—directly advancing U.S. strategic interests in both theaters while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

“This milestone represents the realization of XTEND’s vision to bring our groundbreaking technologies closer to the U.S. defense ecosystem,” said Dr. Peter Kash, XTEND Chairman of the Board. “With this facility, we’re laying the foundation for sustained growth, high-tech job creation and meaningful contributions to America’s security and industrial capabilities. I’m incredibly proud of the team that made this moment possible, amplifying the connectivity of Florida and the future of AI and Robotics.”