Rheinmetall develops armed multicopter for combat missions

German defense contractor Rheinmetall, based in Düsseldorf, has surprised the public by unveiling a unique weapon system on Twitter and YouTube. Known as the 'Rheinmetall Combat Drone,' the system combines a modified Luna NG reconnaissance drone with a 'Hero-R' loitering munition that is currently in development. The drone is capable of deploying up to eight small weaponized multicopters, which can engage targets with precision. Further details about this system are expected to be announced on April 19, 2023.

The use of armed drones has long been a controversial topic in Germany, but the 2021 coalition agreement has paved the way for their use. The new weapon system unveiled by Rheinmetall would mark the first time that armed drones have been developed in Germany, even if they initially feature relatively small warheads.

Flexible and effective weapon system

The new weapon system developed by Rheinmetall is designed to be flexible and effective, serving multiple purposes. The Luna NG drone, which forms the basis of the system, is a tactical drone with a flight time of over twelve hours and a data range of over 100 kilometers. The reconnaissance drone is capable of deploying up to eight small weaponized multicopters, which were developed in collaboration with Israeli manufacturer UVision. UVision is known for its expertise in developing 'loitering munitions,' which are essentially kamikaze drones that can launch themselves into their targets.

By combining the Luna NG drone with armed multicopters, the advantages of both flight models can be utilized. The weapon system is capable of achieving higher accuracy than a simple explosive charge, making it a more effective and precise weapon.

Armed drones for the German army

The German army has already equipped larger Heron TP drones with precision-guided weapons, which are expected to be used from mid-2024. The Luna NG model, which forms the basis of the new Rheinmetall Combat Drone, is a further development of the Luna drone already in service with the German army. Rheinmetall acquired the activities of insolvent drone manufacturer EMT Penzberg through an asset deal, and collaborated with Israeli specialist in loitering munitions, UVision, to develop the Combat Drone.

The use of loitering munitions technology from UVision has been integrated into the Combat Drone to enhance its combat capabilities. These drones can track targets and have warheads, making them a potent weapon in modern warfare. However, it is currently unclear who will use an armed Luna NG model in the future and whether it could also be deployed in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The use of drones is playing an increasingly important role in the Russian-Ukrainian war, with small copters and FPV drones being deployed on both sides of the front. These drones are largely invisible to air defenses and can be produced in large quantities due to their low cost and ease of production. Compared to traditional industrial-production war drones, these small drones have a major advantage in modern warfare.