Lithuania's Granta Autonomy X-WING Loitering Munition Features VTOL Fixed Wing Concept For Modern Battlefields.

On September 18, 2025, Lithuanian drone manufacturer Granta Autonomy unveiled its new X-WING loitering munition system, as reported by Granta Autonomy. Designed with a combination of vertical take-off and landing capability and fixed-wing endurance, the system reflects lessons learned from drone warfare in Ukraine and addresses the growing demand for portable, autonomous strike assets. With NATO forces seeking affordable and scalable solutions to counter Russian electronic warfare tactics, the X-WING’s debut signals a notable step in European drone innovation.
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By bridging reconnaissance and precision strike in a compact and autonomous system, Granta Autonomy positions itself as a key player in Europe’s defense ecosystem and reinforces the growing importance of drones in NATO’s strategy against evolving threats (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The X-WING represents a significant evolution in loitering munitions by integrating the flexibility of a quadcopter with the efficiency of an airplane. Weighing 12 kilograms and equipped with a 4-kilogram hybrid warhead, the system has a range of up to 50 kilometers and can be launched directly from the field without additional equipment. Its warhead combines armor penetration capability with fragmentation effects, making it effective against a spectrum of targets from armored vehicles to radar and air defense systems. The drone is designed as a complementary “shooter” platform to the company’s Hornet XR reconnaissance drone, establishing a sensor-to-shooter network that allows rapid targeting and strike coordination.

Granta Autonomy’s development process reflects its operational experience in Ukraine, where the company has delivered thousands of reconnaissance and FPV drones to front-line units. Alongside the Hornet XR, the firm’s technology portfolio includes the GA-10FPV-AI quadcopter, proprietary datalink solutions, and advanced micro gimbals that provide both day and thermal imaging. The company emphasizes scalable production, with CEO Gediminas Guoba highlighting that the X-WING is engineered for mass manufacturing, with output potentially reaching thousands of units per month. This industrial model positions Granta Autonomy not only as a supplier of tactical UAVs but also as a strategic contributor to NATO’s resilience against Russian drone warfare.

The advantages of the X-WING lie in its autonomy and survivability in contested environments. Artificial intelligence enables it to navigate and strike even when GNSS or GPS signals are jammed or spoofed, a recurring challenge in Eastern Europe. Unlike many comparable loitering munitions that rely heavily on stable satellite links, the X-WING’s onboard autonomy and AI-based targeting system give it an edge against heavily camouflaged or electronically shielded targets. When compared to existing systems in NATO inventories, the X-WING offers a blend of portability, modularity, and multi-role warhead capability at a fraction of the logistical footprint.

Strategically, the unveiling of this system comes at a critical moment as European allies increase investments in drone capabilities to counter Russian advances and ensure technological independence. Lithuania’s growing role as a drone hub underscores NATO’s shift toward integrating smaller allied industries into collective defense strategies. By providing scalable and battle-tested solutions, Granta Autonomy enhances not only Lithuania’s defense posture but also the alliance’s ability to sustain high-tempo operations across multiple theaters.

The X-WING loitering munition reflects how battlefield experience, industrial innovation, and allied cooperation converge to create practical solutions for modern warfare. By bridging reconnaissance and precision strike in a compact and autonomous system, Granta Autonomy positions itself as a key player in Europe’s defense ecosystem and reinforces the growing importance of drones in NATO’s strategy against evolving threats.

Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.