Rheinmetall and its partner UVision have won a first order from a major European NATO military force for HERO loitering munitions. The customer, a special forces formation, ordered Hero-30 combat and training munitions, simulator, training courses as well as integrated logistics equipment and support. This first order is worth a figure in the single-digit million-euro range with possible additional orders might be expected in the future. The exact number of munitions to be supplied is classified. The order was placed in July 2022, with delivery scheduled to take place by 2023.
For both Rheinmetall and UVision, the order is of particular importance as it is the first delivery to a major European NATO force. This strengthens the joint presence of both partners in Europe. The contract was awarded under secrecy clauses which limit revealing its full details to the public. However, prior to
awarding the contract, the customer conducted a market survey indicating that the HERO family had already proven itself in service with other armed forces such as the United States Marine Corps. In addition, it was noted that due to the high operability of the HERO systems family, there is the possibility that the customer will also introduce the next-in-series HERO loitering munitions into its forces in the future.
Hero loitering munition is a series of operationally proven, widely deployed effectors, manufactured and distributed in Europe as part of a cooperation between UVision Air Ltd. and Rheinmetall’s Italian subsidiary RWM Italia S.p.A. In October 2021, Rheinmetall and the Israeli company UVision entered a strategic partnership in the field of loitering munition. In this partnership, Rheinmetall and UVision are jointly addressing the rapidly growing market for remote-controlled precision ammunition.
Combat power multiplier
Loitering munitions – remote–controlled airborne precision–strike munitions – combine the operational advantages of drones and guided missiles. The systems provide front-line forces with a combination of advanced intelligence gathering and target acquisition capabilities along with extended range firepower, which until now could only be achieved by complex coordination between several units and echelons.
The term loitering munition (“LM” for short) is derived from the munition’s ability to remain undetected in the airspace above the target area for an extended period of time and to strike when the right moment arrives.
Today’s battlefields require precise ammunition systems that can track and engage time-sensitive targets and can be controlled or even recalled until the final strike. Loitering Munitions play a vital role in this. Rheinmetall has therefore teamed up with UVision to offer European customers the most advanced systems in this field.
Versatile and easy to operate, loitering munitions can be used in national and allied defence as well
as in low-intensity conflicts or peace stabilization operations. LM offers the military user considerable
cost advantages over guided missiles, delivering comparable effectiveness as well as the ability to
reconnoitre, locate and track targets from the air for an extended period. An important tactical
advantage of the operationally proven UVision HERO systems lies in their high-precision strike
capabilities, which results in minimal risk of collateral damage. Continuous monitoring in accordance
with the « human in the loop » principle enables calculated, pinpoint attacks that are precisely tailored
to the timing and conditions of a constantly changing situation.
A loitering munition system includes a single or multi-canister launcher, a loitering munition (or
multiple LMs if the latter), communication technology, and a ground control module for the
operator. The loitering munitions themselves are remote–controlled small air vehicles, each of which
can attack ground targets – even beyond the line of sight.
All models are equipped with high-resolution electro-optical sensors and infra-red cameras that
enable the operator to locate, monitor and ultimately engage even time-critical low-signature
targets. In this way, enemy targets can be located, tracked, and verified to conduct precise strikes.
The HERO system can abort an attack in mid-air, return to flight mode and then resume the attack or
reassign other targets, giving operators great tactical flexibility on the modern battlefield.
The HERO series of Loitering Munitions is suitable for a wide range of units and forces, and for tactical and strategic missions, of short, medium and long ranges. The unique design of the HERO enables maximum maneuverability with pinpoint strike accuracy and mission abort and reengage capability. Depending on the model, the systems are man portable and can be mounted on land vehicles, ships or aerial platforms.
Launched from single or multi-canister launchers, and easily integrated to existing naval C2 and target-acquisition systems, HERO systems bring highly affordable solutions to the growing challenges of the complex naval arena.
Based on extensive field experience and tested in combat, the HERO highly advanced munitions are simple to operate, specifically tailored for use of land forces in harsh conditions. With their unique ability to transfer the control between different units and forces in the battlefield while in mid-air, the HERO series allows the modern soldier to utilize the advantages of the entire line of munition at his will.
The loitering munitions ability to operate at lower altitudes, many times lower than the clouds, increases the operational flexibility of the air platform, especially in near terrain flying altitude airspace. While operating the HERO systems, the aerial platform can stay in a standoff position, significantly lowering its exposure to possible threats, and allowing it to penetrate and neutralize many advanced air defence systems.
