09/09/2025 | Press release

Building on more than 20 years of close cooperation with the German Ministry of Defence, Rheinmetall's portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been shaped by operational experience and insights gained from recent conflicts. Rheinmetall's UAV portfolio includes, among other things:

Small UAVs (up to 25 kg): They can detect and track targets – either in single operation or in a swarm configuration. These small UAVs can be used for reconnaissance missions or as multi[1]purpose drones with warheads. They thus offer short-range attack capabilities (colloquially referred to as "kamikaze drones"). Our portfolio also includes target drones for realistic air defence exercises with very low space requirements, as well as interceptors that can be used as counter-UAVs to neutralise air threats.

Medium-range UAV: Our LUNA NG is in the final stages of certification and will be delivered to the German Ministry of Defence. It is a stand-off reconnaissance drone. It can be used not only in traditional ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) roles, but can also carry out missions based on the sensor-to-shooter concept. This is achieved through the integration of glide bombs and/or loitering munitions, which enable the real-time use of information from their sensors for attack missions.

Intelligent ammunition with glide bombs and/or loitering munitions: their warheads are effective against reconnoitred targets.

Thanks to integrated AI technologies, our systems offer swarm capabilities and can be seamlessly integrated into existing doctrines. Backed by Rheinmetall's robust supply chain, we ensure rapid scalability of production to guarantee air superiority when it matters most.

Cooperation in the field of UAVs

Together with our partner UVision, we offer European customers the HERO series of high-precision loitering munition systems. Our portfolio also includes counter-UAVs for neutralising aerial targets and target drones that can also be used as deep strike weapons.

We are working with Anduril Industries to develop and manufacture the Barracuda for European defence. The Barracuda is a family of large autonomous air vehicles (air-breathing AAVs) designed specifically for large-scale production and mass deployment. The system will provide European armed forces with a cost-effective and flexible AAV designed for various military applications, such as deep strike capabilities.