Up to Seven Sorties Per Crew: 59th Brigade Explains How HX-2 Drones Are Being Used

A single Ukrainian Defense Forces drone crew can launch between five and seven German-made HX-2 strike drones in a single day.

A crew member of Ukraine’s 59th Assault Brigade shared this in an interview with Army TV.

According to the operators, during periods of heavy fighting and enemy assaults, they work continuously – preparing, launching, and operating the drones without interruption. They said the HX-2 drones are used to strike high-value Russian targets, including artillery systems, armored vehicles, and ammunition depots.

“Around seven. Six to seven drones. Five to six if we’re working non-stop. It’s a continuous cycle of preparing the aircraft, launching it, and flying the mission. On particularly intense days – when there are enemy assaults or when the enemy is putting heavy pressure on our infantry – we operate at a much higher tempo,” the servicemember said.

The HX-2 is an X-wing loitering munition developed by the German defense technology company Helsing. The system has a gross weight of 12 kg and is equipped with a 2.5 kg warhead. It is powered by four electric motors, enabling a maximum airspeed of up to 220 km/h. Its battery-powered propulsion system provides an operational range of up to 100 km.

The drone’s onboard AI performs target recognition, automatic target tracking, and terminal target homing, allowing it to autonomously maintain track and guide itself onto the designated target during the final phase of the attack.

In February 2025, it was announced that Helsing would manufacture 6,000 HX-2 loitering munitions for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.