Israel’s XTEND Opens U.S. Headquarters and Drone Production Facility in Tampa, Florida
New site to support U.S. defense missions, expand domestic manufacturing, and create high-tech jobs in the aerospace sector
Aviv Shapira on July 1st in Tampa. Photo: XTEND / PR
XTEND Reality Inc., an Israeli developer of human-guided autonomous drone systems, has officially opened its new U.S. headquarters and production facility in Tampa, Florida. The launch was marked by a ribbon-cutting event attended by federal, state, and local officials, along with military representatives.
The facility will focus on manufacturing and integrating XTEND’s drone systems to support U.S. defense operations. The move comes amid increased federal efforts to strengthen domestic production of drone technologies and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
“This facility marks a new chapter for XTEND in the United States and reflects our commitment to delivering mission-ready systems,” said Aviv Shapira, XTEND CEO and Co-founder. “We’re proud to establish our U.S. headquarters in Tampa and appreciate the support from government partners as we scale our operations.”
XTEND was founded in 2018 by brothers Aviv and Matteo Shapira in partnership with Rubi Liani and is headquartered in Tel Aviv. Prior to XTEND, the Shapira brothers co-founded Replay Technologies, which was acquired by Intel in 2016.
“Our systems are designed to provide operators with enhanced control and performance in complex environments,” said Rubi Liani, XTEND CTO and Co-founder. “The new facility will allow us to integrate and adapt systems directly for U.S. needs, supporting faster deployment and innovation.”
Roy Levy, XTEND’s Vice President and U.S. General Manager, emphasized that the Tampa site represents more than just a business move. “It’s about building partnerships and ensuring delivery of reliable, integrated systems that meet mission demands,” he said.
Dr. Peter Kash, Chairman of XTEND’s Board, noted that the facility contributes to both national security and local economic development. “We’re laying the groundwork for long-term growth, job creation, and engagement with the U.S. defense ecosystem,” he said.
The company’s initial focus will be on producing Group 1 drones for the U.S. Department of Defense. Over time, the site is expected to expand into manufacturing additional components, including communication modules, motors, and controllers, supporting broader needs in the American drone industry.
The facility is projected to generate dozens of high-tech jobs in the coming years and contribute to Florida’s position as a center for aerospace and defense manufacturing.