The Lithuanian Army demonstrated the operation of the reconnaissance drone Hornet XR and Granta Autonomy during a visit by Danish and Lithuanian leaders.
The demonstration was attended by the King Frederick X and the Queen Mary of Denmark, alongside Gitanas Nausėdapresident of Lithuania, and the first lady, Diana Nausedienėaccording to a statement released by Granta Autonomy.
The visit took place at formations of the National Defense Volunteers and the Lithuanian Rifle Union, where the delegation was briefed on recent upgrades in Lithuania’s territorial defense forces and observed fielded unmanned systems now entering regular service.
According to Granta Autonomythe delegation reviewed the fixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial system Hornet XR company, which was selected by Lithuanian military organizations as part of their unmanned modernization efforts.
The platform was described as a lightweight reconnaissance asset intended for unit-level intelligence gathering, with a reported operational range of up to 50 kilometers and an autonomous endurance of approximately three hours.
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The system is designed to carry electro-optical payloads optimized for surveillance and target observation while maintaining a small acoustic and visual signature during flight operations.
According to the Granta Autonomythe platform’s size and flight profile help reduce detection, allowing it to operate in contested environments where traditional reconnaissance assets face greater risks.
The system launches and recovers without the need for complex infrastructure, making it suitable for use by territorial defense units operating with limited logistical support.
O Hornet XR It has seen operational use, including combat-related deployments to Ukraine, where it was supplied to airborne and other units for battlefield reconnaissance duties.
Similar systems are being developed around the globe as part of studies related to lessons learned from Russia’s conflicts with Ukraine.
In a real large-scale battlefield scenario, small and medium-sized unmanned aerial platforms were prioritized as cost-effective tools to enhance visibility and decision-making at the tactical level.
Photo: Granta Autonomy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
