ASGARD, recently demonstrated in London, has undergone successful trials with British troops on NATO’s eastern flank. The system enables forces to identify and strike targets at greater distances and in reduced timeframes, forming part of the UK’s wider plan to establish a digital targeting network across the Armed Forces by 2027.
As part of its involvement in ASGARD, Helsing is contributing its Altra software and HX-2 strike drone system. Altra is designed to improve the speed, accuracy, and resilience of target acquisition and engagement by using AI and real-time data integration from various battlefield sources.
According to Helsing, “Altra intelligently connects all elements of the battlefield to transform the accuracy, speed and robustness of modern land forces.” The software platform enables the coordination of ISR assets, artillery systems, and strike drones through a shared operational picture, with automated fire correction and decision-support tools designed to assist human operators.
The HX-2 is a lightweight, software-defined drone capable of engaging military targets—including armoured vehicles and artillery—at ranges of up to 100 kilometres. It is equipped with onboard AI that allows it to operate in contested electromagnetic environments, re-identifying targets even without a continuous data connection.
Helsing stated, “Onboard artificial intelligence ensures that HX-2 is immune to hostile electronic warfare (EW) measures… A human operator stays in or on the loop for all critical decisions.” The drone, which weighs 12kg and can reach speeds of 220 km/h, carries multi-purpose anti-tank and anti-structure munitions.
General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff, described ASGARD as “a transformation in how we find, fund, and fight with cutting-edge capabilities.” He added, “ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike… We are particularly proud of the collaboration between tacticians and technicians.”
Helsing commented on this collaboration, stating: “Ukraine, the UK and allies have now proven the impact of closer industry partnership and inserting AI at every stage of recce-strike systems.”
The Ministry of Defence has committed funding to the next phase of ASGARD, supporting its development as part of the Strategic Defence Review and the UK Government’s Plan for Change. ASGARD was first announced in October 2024, with contracts awarded in January 2025 and a prototype deployed just four months later for NATO’s Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “We are learning the lessons from Ukraine so our frontline personnel can strike further and faster and maintain advantage over our adversaries.” She described ASGARD as exemplifying “the vision of the Strategic Defence Review, with speed and world-class capability achieved by bringing together military, Government and industry professionals.”
As ASGARD enters its next stage, it will focus on strengthening capabilities at the Corps and Divisional levels. By involving a broad base of industry partners and leveraging AI and digital systems, the British Army aims to deliver more responsive and precise operational effects in future combat scenarios.
