XTEND Reality Inc., an Israeli developer of AI-powered, human-guided autonomous drone systems, opened its U.S. headquarters and 10,000-square-foot production facility in Tampa, Florida, on July 1, 2025, at Crossroads Industrial Center (5247 Crossroads Park Dr.). The facility, designed to produce 3,000 Group 1 drones monthly (weighing up to 20 pounds, with a 1,200-foot ceiling and 115 mph top speed), supports U.S. Department of Defense and law enforcement needs, including the Wolverine, Griffon, and Xtender models for tactical surveillance, counter-UAS, and urban navigation. Backed by a $70 million Series B round, including $30 million from Aliya Capital Partners and Protego Ventures, the project creates 100 jobs over three years (19 in 2025) and aligns with President Trump’s $150 billion defense spending bill and 10% global tariffs to reduce reliance on Chinese drones. Located near U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the facility leverages XTEND’s XOS platform, blending AR/VR and AI for intuitive operator control. CEO Aviv Shapira stated, “We’re building capabilities, resilience, and trust for U.S. defense.”

For the precision machining industry, XTEND’s facility emphasizes the critical role of backlash in manufacturing drone components. Parts like motor housings require CNC milling with minimal backlash, typically under 0.0002 inches, to ensure tolerances within ±0.0005 inches and surface roughness as low as Ra 4 µin for lightweight alloys. 5-axis milling machines, optimized for backlash control to maintain precision, support automated production with real-time quality control. The project drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Florida, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening defense supply chains.

Source:

Fox 13

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is buzzing with XTEND’s Tampa facility opening, with posts from July 1–10, 2025, calling it a “game-shifter for U.S. drone tech.” Users cheered the 100 jobs, with one saying, “Tampa’s now a drone powerhouse!” while another tied it to “kicking Chinese drones out.” Some flagged concerns about foreign R&D ties and surveillance risks. The X pulse vibrates with excitement for innovation but urges scrutiny of data security.

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