Quantum Systems further expands its MOSAIC UXS mission software ecosystem by integrating XTEND’s autonomous capabilities, enabling a growing range of autonomous systems to operate together seamlessly. London, United Kingdom and Tampa, Florida, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Systems, a leading global neo-prime for intelligent autonomous systems, and XTEND (NYSE: XTND), a leader in software systems and Physical AI, today announced a partnership to develop and deliver integrated autonomous mission solutions for defence, homeland security and public safety customers. Quantum Systems is further expanding its MOSAIC UXS mission software ecosystem by integrating XTEND’s field-proven autonomous systems. Bringing together proven technologies from both companies, the partnership enables seamless, interoperable missions across sensing, swarming and strike, while providing operators with an intuitive user experience. The cooperation is already supporting a joint autonomous systems programme for a European NATO customer, with further customer programmes and demonstrations planned for 2026 and beyond. The partnership comes as NATO Allies ramp up defence investment. Under commitments made at the 2025 Hague Summit, Allies are targeting 5% of GDP annually in defence spending by 2035, with at least 3.5% allocated to core defence requirements and at least 20% of expenditure directed to major equipment and associated research and development under the Defence Investment Pledge. NATO reports that European Allies and Canada alone increased defence expenditure by more than USD 90 billion in 2025. “The future of defence autonomy will not be defined by individual platforms, but by our ability to connect sensors, systems and effectors into one operational network,” said Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer of Quantum Systems. “Together with XTEND and through its integration into the MOSAIC UXS software backbone, we are demonstrating how modular architectures can connect complementary autonomous systems into a mission-ready ecosystem - from intelligence collection to mission execution.” At the heart of the partnership is the integration of XTEND’s XOS operating system and autonomous mission capabilities into Quantum Systems’ MOSAIC UXS mission software ecosystem. Together, the companies aim to enable armed forces and customers across other critical domains to integrate diverse autonomous systems within one operational environment while allowing new operators to become mission-ready within days - dramatically reducing training requirements and accelerating forward deployment. “Defense is entering a new era where operational advantage will come from connected ecosystems rather than standalone platforms,” said Aviv Shapira, CEO and Co-Founder of XTEND. “As autonomous operations become increasingly software-defined, our customers need mission ecosystems that seamlessly connect intelligence, planning and execution across multiple autonomous assets. By bringing together Quantum Systems’ leadership in autonomous intelligence collection with XTEND’s XOS operating system and autonomous mission capabilities, we’re taking an important step towards making interoperable autonomy the new standard for modern defence operations.” Quantum Systems and XTEND have recently demonstrated integrated workflows across multiple locations. The partnership will continue to expand interoperability between the companies’ technologies and support modular defence autonomy for European and allied forces. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential benefits of the partnership with Quantum Systems, XTEND’s strategy to extend XOS beyond aerial systems into ground and, ultimately, maritime robotic systems, the anticipated benefits of the XOS ecosystem, the interoperability of robotic platforms within the XOS ecosystem and the timing and scope of future deployments of XOS-powered systems. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the potential benefits of the partnership with Quantum Systems, XTEND’s ability to extend XOS across additional platforms and operational domains, market acceptance of XTEND’s ground robotics solutions, the timing and size of orders from government and defense customers, compliance with export control and defense trade regulations, geopolitical conditions in the regions in which XTEND operates, and the other risks described under “Risk Factors” in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination and in Xtend’s other filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. XTEND does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Media Contacts Quantum Systems Paul C. Strobel Spokesperson press@quantum-systems.com XTEND AI Robotics, Inc. Investor Relations: MZ North America Shannon Devine 203-741-8811, XTND@mzgroup.us Media:  Headline Media Sarah Small 929-255-1449, sarah@headline.media About Quantum Systems Quantum Systems is a leading European defence neo-prime built on deep technology. The company develops, manufactures and deploys battle-proven autonomous systems for defence, security and civil resilience customers. Its portfolio brings together hardware, software and AI across unmanned systems, sensors and counter-UXS solutions for air, land, sea and adjacent domains. MOSAIC UXS, its AI-enabled mission combat system, connects these capabilities into an interoperable operational network, enabling forces to sense, decide and act faster. With more than 1,700 employees across eight countries, Quantum Systems combines fast-growing revenue and demonstrated profitability with the industrial base to scale across allied markets. For more information, visit www.quantum-systems.com About XTEND AI Robotics, Inc. XTEND is a leader in software systems and Physical AI, deployed in high-threat, complex operational environments where human exposure carries significant risk. Powered by its proprietary XTEND Operating System (XOS), XTEND’s integrated software and advanced robotic hardware solutions are designed to provide autonomy at the edge. Operating across Defense, Homeland Security, and Commercial Security missions through a platform of robots, drones, and robotic subsystems, XTEND’s open architecture platform facilitates scalability across partners and third-party applications. With over 12,500 systems deployed in over 30 countries, XTEND’s solutions have been validated in five combat zones and operationally deployed by national defense, special-mission units, and security organizations across the globe. Founded in Tel Aviv, Israel, and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, XTEND delivers NDAA-compliant solutions through a global network of regional XFAB manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, Israel, and Latvia. For more information, visit www.XTEND.me .

The phrase ‘AI weapons’ often conjures images of machines making life-and-death decisions without human oversight. Xtend AI Robotics, Inc. Common Stock (NYSE:XTND ) CEO Aviv Shapira believes that narrative has outpaced reality. While autonomy is advancing rapidly across modern defense systems , he argues the industry’s trajectory is not about removing humans from the battlefield, but enabling them to make better decisions by letting AI handle speed, complexity and dangerous tasks. The Future of AI Weapons Shapira rejected the idea that autonomous weapons are headed toward fully independent lethal decision-making. “That is a misconception, at least in terms of where the industry is today,” he told Benzinga in an exclusive email interview. Instead, he described autonomy as a spectrum rather than a binary concept. AI can stabilize aircraft, navigate without GPS, avoid obstacles, coordinate with other systems or complete portions of a mission without constant human input—all without taking humans out of consequential decisions. XTEND, he said, already operates at Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy, where AI performs increasingly complex tasks while operators remain responsible for critical decisions. That distinction matters because it shifts the conversation from replacing people to augmenting them. Read Also: Anduril CEO Warns AI and Defense Valuations Are Becoming Dangerously Overvalued, Says Company Isn't Rushing to IPO Why Human Control Matters Shapira said XTEND’s philosophy is centered on what he calls “human-guided autonomy,” where AI complements human judgment instead of replacing it. “Our approach is human-guided autonomy,” he said. “We want machines to handle the speed, complexity and dangerous physical tasks that machines are better suited for, while keeping authorized humans in control of consequential decisions.” He reinforced the point with a statement that directly challenges one of the most persistent fears surrounding defense AI: “We don’t need to remove the human from the loop to make autonomy transformational.” Management’s comments reflect a view that autonomy’s value lies in reducing cognitive burden and improving operational effectiveness rather than delegating lethal authority to machines. Our inference is that framing AI as a decision-support technology, rather than an autonomous decision-maker, could also help address one of the sector’s most closely watched ethical and regulatory concerns. Why it Matters As defense companies race to deploy AI-enabled systems, investors may increasingly distinguish between firms pursuing fully autonomous capabilities and those focused on human-guided autonomy. If Shapira’s view reflects the industry’s broader direction, the competitive advantage may come from building trusted AI that enhances operators’ effectiveness—not from removing them from the decision-making process. Read Also: The Future of Defense Tech Isn't Hardware. It's the 'Android of Robotics'  Image courtesy XTEND