Quantum Systems Demonstrates Multi-Domain Drone Operations With XTEND, Volkswagen and Daimler Truck
Germany's Quantum Systems has demonstrated coordinated air, land and maritime unmanned operations with partners including XTEND, Volkswagen and Daimler Truck, using its MOSAIC UXS software platform.
German defense technology company Quantum Systems has completed its two-week Forward Edge 26 exercise, demonstrating the integration of aerial drones, unmanned ground vehicles, maritime systems and counter-drone technologies through its MOSAIC UXS software platform.
Announced on October 22, 2026, the exercise took place at a military training area in central Germany and involved several European and international technology partners, including XTEND, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck, Frontline Robotics, Ground A, Planet, Wolf Radar, Reactive Dynamics and Ukrainian robotics manufacturer Tencore. Quantum Systems' German-Ukrainian joint ventures, Quantum Frontline Industries (QFI) and Quantum Tencore Industries (QTI), also participated.
The demonstration focused on enabling unmanned systems from different manufacturers to operate within a coordinated mission architecture, combining reconnaissance, threat detection, electronic protection and operational response.
Four Operational Scenarios Demonstrated
The exercise included four scenarios designed to illustrate how autonomous and remotely operated systems could support military operations across different environments.
The first scenario involved the protection of a defensive position against simulated enemy reconnaissance and attack forces. Aerial surveillance identified approaching threats, while counter-UAS systems, strike assets and unmanned ground vehicles were used to respond.
The second scenario focused on convoy protection, combining wide-area aerial reconnaissance with route monitoring ahead of an unmanned convoy. Laser-based counter-drone technologies were also demonstrated as part of the defensive architecture.
A third scenario examined coastal and port protection, connecting aerial reconnaissance platforms with maritime systems for surveillance, threat identification and coordinated response.
The final scenario demonstrated minelaying and route clearance operations, combining aerial overwatch, ground robotics and other effectors. According to Quantum Systems, the scenario drew on operational experience from Ukraine.
Remote Drone Operations Across Three Continents
One of the demonstrations involved the remote piloting of unmanned systems located in Ukraine, the United States and Australia, illustrating the potential for geographically distributed operations.
The systems were coordinated through MOSAIC UXS, Quantum Systems' AI-enabled mission software designed to connect multiple unmanned platforms, sensors and mission capabilities within a common operational environment.
The company described the exercise as a demonstration of how previously separate reconnaissance, protection and mission-execution capabilities can be integrated through a single software architecture.
Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer at Quantum Systems, emphasized the shift away from traditional military exercises centered on conventional hardware toward software-coordinated unmanned operations.
Industry Partnerships Expand Autonomous Defense Ecosystem
The participation of Volkswagen and Daimler Truck highlights the growing involvement of established automotive manufacturers in the European unmanned defense sector.
Daimler Truck signed a memorandum of understanding with Quantum Systems in March 2026 to explore the integration of unmanned aerial and land systems into military operations using the MOSAIC software architecture. Quantum Systems also announced a partnership with XTEND in September 2026 to integrate autonomous capabilities across reconnaissance and strike missions.
The involvement of Tencore and the German-Ukrainian joint ventures further reflects Quantum Systems' efforts to connect European industrial capabilities with technologies and operational experience originating in Ukraine.
Quantum Systems said the results of Forward Edge 26 will inform further technology development, system integration and operational validation. The company did not announce new procurement contracts or disclose independent performance measurements from the exercise.
