Helsing

AD-1 Inferno

In Development

Jet-powered, container-launched interceptor Helsing introduced with Contra on Oct. 26, 2026. The company says it can loiter, swarm and re-engage, with mid-course guidance from Contra radar stations and an onboard radar seeker.

Latest update Oct 27, 2026

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Current status

Not a fielded weapon. Defense News reported a company briefing speed of 700 km/h and a range of 20 km. The press release does not state those Inferno figures. Market readiness for the Contra offering was described by the CEO as the second half of 2027.

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In the news1

  1. Helsing unveils Contra and two interceptor missiles

    On Oct. 26 in Berlin, Helsing unveiled Contra, an AI air-defense system, and two container-launched interceptors: jet-powered AD-1 Inferno and solid-rocket AD-2 Ambush, which the company says reaches Mach 2.5 and more than 20 km. The press release gives no unit price and describes engagement of hundreds or thousands of threats as a design goal. Defense News reported that CEO Gundbert Scherf said the system is in testing, that market readiness is targeted for the second half of 2027, and that one contract is already signed, and that company officials put the cost under $100,000 per shot. The buyer and contract value were not named.

    helsing.ai www.defensenews.com breakingdefense.com

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