The long-heralded dream of drone-delivered pizza remains grounded by regulatory delays, but on the battlefield, drones are rapidly becoming indispensable tools of modern warfare.
Flying Production, a subsidiary of Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems, has begun serial production of its new X-intra combat drone, designed to offer enhanced capabilities for frontline operations. The company has not disclosed its customers for the new system, but its smaller drones, including the Tzur model, are already heavily used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in operations in Gaza and along the Lebanese border.
The X-intra stands out for its ability to carry a payload of about 30 kilograms (66 pounds)—more than double that of the Tzur drone on which it is based. Despite its capacity, the drone is modular, collapsible, and compact enough to be carried in a padded bag by a single soldier. According to its developers, it can be deployed and ready for use in under two minutes.
Described as a multi-mission platform, the drone can deliver critical supplies to troops, conduct high-altitude surveillance with advanced imaging systems, and carry out precision strikes.
Flying Production was acquired by Elbit Systems in 2019 as part of the company’s strategic expansion into drone technology, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the defense industry. Based in the Rosh HaAyin industrial zone, the company has recorded over 20,000 operational flight hours across its range of drones. While it has supplied systems to several foreign militaries, it has not identified them publicly.
Company CEO Eyal Dahan said that battlefield experience with earlier models—such as the Magni-X and Terminathor—encouraged the company to equip newer systems with high-end electro-optical payloads. Some of those systems, used for surveillance and target acquisition, can cost up to $500,000.
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In response to operational lessons from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where fighting frequently occurs in densely populated areas, the Israeli defense establishment recently completed successful trials using the Tzur drone to deliver blood units. Stored in shock-absorbing containers, the blood can reach medics in the field within minutes, potentially improving first aid and saving lives.
Demand for drones has soared since the start of the war on Oct. 7. In recent months, Israel’s Ministry of Defense has placed orders totaling more than 400 million shekels (about $106 million) with domestic defense firms for drones of various sizes and capabilities. About 150 million shekels of that was awarded to Elbit Systems.
Other recipients of Ministry of Defense contracts include Xtend, CopterPix, and Airodrome. The Defense Ministry is expected to issue additional tenders to accelerate procurement and address ongoing shortages, especially after IDF units—both regular and reserve—reported equipment gaps at the war’s outset, with some even turning to social media to solicit supplies.
While drones may not yet be delivering takeout meals, they are increasingly vital to delivering results on the battlefield.