South Korean company Nearthlab has launched a new FPV drone called Xaiden. Its main feature is integration with artificial intelligence, which allows the drone to form into 10 swarms of up to 10 drones each, all controlled by just one operator.
This means a single person can keep up to 100 Xaiden FPV drones airborne at the same time. These drones are intended for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes against infantry and lightly armored vehicles, according to the company's press release.
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Each swarm of 10 drones includes one lead drone equipped with communication antennas and directly controlled by the operator. The other nine drones are guided by AI and communicate only with the lead drone, which sends them attack commands. Once a command is issued, the drones proceed autonomously — even if signal interference occurs, as they no longer rely on a live connection.
On the ground, the swarm is arranged in a stacked vertical formation while awaiting launch. This suggests that 100 Xaiden drones could be in the air, while others wait in reserve for rotation after current drones complete their mission.
With a sufficient supply of drones, a single operator could maintain a buffer zone where no enemy soldier survives, limited only by drone range and payload. However, sustaining such a zone would require enormous production capacity and resources.
Xaiden is armed with a 60 mm mortar round, echoing the Ukrainian experience where a similar munition was used in the UB60D FPV drone developed by Ukrainian Armor. Xaiden could likely be fitted with other warheads in the future, although the company has not disclosed such plans or revealed technical specifications or pricing.
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