Rheinmetall has brought a new production facility for loitering munitions into full series production and continues to develop both uncrewed aerial systems and counter-drone capabilities.
The company’s Italian subsidiary RWM Italia operates the facility on Sardinia at Musei and Domusnovas. At the Musei site inert and electronic components are assembled and tested. Warhead manufacture and integration take place at the Domusnovas plant. Rheinmetall says the line was completed a few months ago and is now running at full speed in cooperation with UVision Air Ltd.
The firm’s current loitering munition family for infantry and precision strike roles includes the HERO 30, a small portable system for infantry use; the HERO 120, a medium sized weapon intended for strikes against armoured vehicles and fixed installations; and the HERO 400, a medium to long range option aimed at fortified positions.
Rheinmetall reports an order backlog exceeding €200 million for various HERO variants destined for eight countries in Europe, including NATO and non NATO customers.
Beyond the HERO family the company manufactures uncrewed aerial systems such as the LUNA NG reconnaissance drone. Rheinmetall’s UAS activity, which includes production at sites such as Penzberg, generated about €120 million in sales in 2024. The company also works with external partners in the sector, including Lockheed Martin and Anduril.
On the defensive side Rheinmetall offers systems that span detection and identification through to effectors. Its counter-drone portfolio covers electronic warfare tools such as jammers, cannon based air defence systems including the Skyranger, and high energy laser options. The company positions these capabilities as a sensor to effector chain intended to detect identify and defeat small unmanned threats.
Short paragraphs, clear sourcing and technical detail support the view that Rheinmetall is positioning production capacity and product breadth to address both delivery and mitigation of modern unmanned threats.