Company / Unmanned Systems
Rheinmetall
Germany's largest defence group, active in unmanned aircraft (Luna NG), ground robots (Mission Master) and air defence against drones (Skynex, Skyranger).
Düsseldorf, GermanyUnmanned Systems systems
About the company
About Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG, founded in Düsseldorf in 1889, is Germany's largest defence company and a supplier of vehicle systems, weapons and ammunition, electronic solutions and air defence to armed forces worldwide. The listed group employs well over 30,000 people.
In unmanned systems Rheinmetall produces the Luna NG tactical reconnaissance UAS for the Bundeswehr, the Mission Master family of autonomous unmanned ground vehicles for resupply, reconnaissance and fire support, and loitering munitions developed with partners. Its Skynex and Skyranger air defence systems with 30 and 35 mm guns and programmable ammunition are among the most widely ordered European counter-drone systems.
Rheinmetall has also taken stakes in and partnered with drone start-ups and operates production sites in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and other countries.
In the news29 stories
Counter-UAS via the mobile network: Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom develop a joint protective shield
The goal is a protective shield against drones and cyber attacks: for counter-UAS, Rheinmetall contributes its effectors and Deutsche Telekom its mobile network. The aim is to protect critical infrastructure, civilian sites and major events.
Counter-UAS and swarm reconnaissance: Autonomous Teaming Solutions shows three systems at KSK Symposium
A reconnaissance swarm, a weapon turret against small aerial targets and vehicle protection against FPV drones: ATS, founded in Munich in 2024, equips purchased platforms for reconnaissance and counter-UAS with software, sensors and AI.
Unmanned ground vehicles for the US Marine Corps: American Rheinmetall to deliver Mission Master SP
Twelve Mission Master SP and five amphibious marine kits: the unmanned ground vehicles contract continues the long-standing partnership with the US Marine Corps and supports the build-up of a Rheinmetall site in Maine.
Rheinmetall Air Defence: Oliver Dürr leaves, Roman Köhne takes over the division
There is a change at the top of Rheinmetall Air Defence: Oliver Dürr is leaving the group and Roman Köhne succeeds him. An internal memo looks back on years of strong growth in the air defence business.
Rohde & Schwarz and Diehl Defence join Boeing's German MQ-28 Ghost Bat industry team
Unmanned systems at ILA Berlin: the new partners were presented there. Alongside Rheinmetall, two further German companies are now on board for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, contributing weapons, mission and communication systems to the programme.
Loitering munition FV-014: Rheinmetall unveils CML multiple launcher at Eurosatory
Loitering munition from a container: Rheinmetall's new Containerized Missile Launcher (CML) holds up to 18 FV-014, can be operated without a crew, fired remotely and integrated into existing command systems via open interfaces.
Cargo drone Victor U250: Rheinmetall, ERC and NRW plan production in North Rhine-Westphalia
A letter of intent signed at ILA Berlin 2026 is to bring the heavy-lift cargo drone Victor U250 to North Rhine-Westphalia. Rheinmetall and ERC System are counting on local supply chains, the state on funding, site selection and supported certification.
Helsing appoints Frank Dirksen as Chief Commercial Officer
From June, Frank Dirksen will fill a newly created position at Helsing: Chief Commercial Officer. He brings leadership experience at Rheinmetall and 15 years of service in the Bundeswehr, the German Armed Forces.
Ground drones for the US Department of War: American Rheinmetall and Harbinger develop new UGV
Integration expertise from American Rheinmetall meets Harbinger's hybrid drive-by-wire platform: together, the two companies aim to deliver affordable, scalable ground drones for combat and logistics. First demonstrations are planned for the summer.
Counter-UAS and air defence in focus: “DroneVation & Defence 2026” continues to grow in Vienna
More than 1,000 visitors, two stages, talks by the Bundesheer, industry and Ukrainian practitioners: the symposium in Vienna spanned counter-UAS, electronic warfare and the lessons learned from Ukraine.
Counter-UAS for cities and critical infrastructure: Rheinmetall and Telekom plan joint protective shield
Effectors and sensors from Rheinmetall, networks, cloud and data analytics from Telekom: ahead of Afcea in Bonn, the two groups have agreed on a joint counter-UAS shield against drones and sabotage. Details are to follow later.
Naval drones from Hamburg: Rheinmetall Kraken starts series production of the Kraken K3 Scout
The first Kraken K3 Scout naval drones are rolling off the line at Blohm+Voss in Hamburg. Around 200 units a year are planned initially, up to 1,000 if orders allow. The joint venture is now called Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH.
Loitering munition FV-014: Bundeswehr awards Rheinmetall major contract
A framework contract worth billions and a first call-off of around 300 million euros: the Bundeswehr is ordering the FV-014 loitering munition from Rheinmetall. Qualification starts in the second quarter of 2026, with deliveries from the first half of 2027.
Drone trade fair in Vienna: “DroneVation & Defence” returns for its second edition on 21 May
After 49 exhibitors and around 700 trade visitors at the premiere, organiser Militär Aktuell expects more exhibitors and almost twice as many sponsors for the second “DroneVation & Defence” drone trade fair. The programme expands to two stages.
Loitering munition FV-014: Rheinmetall demonstrates system to a potential NATO customer in Cochstedt
Up to 100 kilometres of range, 70 minutes of flight time and constant operator control: Rheinmetall has shown its FV-014 loitering munition at the DLR test centre in Cochstedt and sees this as a further milestone.
Counter-UAS in a harsh climate: Rheinmetall shows C-sUAS capabilities at GBAD Demo Days in Finland
From fast jet drones to hard-to-detect quadcopters: at Lohtaja, Rheinmetall Air Defence faced a broad range of targets in harsh conditions. The counter-UAS focus was on the new Skyspotter and the Skymaster system network.
Loitering munition: Stark brings Jan-Patrick Helmsen onto its board as Chief Sales Officer
Jan-Patrick Helmsen moves from Rheinmetall management to the board of Stark: at the German manufacturer of loitering munition, the former army officer will in future be responsible for sales and business development. At the same time, Martin Rost joins the management team as COO.
Counter-drone defence for the Netherlands: armed forces order Rheinmetall Skyranger 30
Mobile and stationary Skyranger 30 systems plus simulators: the Netherlands is upgrading its counter-drone defence with Rheinmetall. Production starts in Switzerland, then moves to Ede – and another NATO country is already interested in the configuration.
Loitering munition: NATO customer orders several hundred Hero systems from Rheinmetall
An order in the low three-digit million range, deliveries from early 2026, production in Italy: Rheinmetall is supplying Hero loitering munitions to an unnamed NATO state. An overview of the order and the Hero family.
Unmanned ground vehicle Mission Master SP: US Marines train with Rheinmetall UGV on Okinawa
No longer a demonstrator but platoon equipment: at Camp Schwab, US Marines are integrating the Mission Master SP unmanned ground vehicle into exercises for resupply, casualty evacuation and covert movement.
Unmanned systems: Rheinmetall shows Mission Master at NATO exercises “Repmus” and “Dyms”
NATO armed forces, researchers and industry met in Troia and Sesimbra to test unmanned systems in the maritime environment. Rheinmetall brought the Mission Master, Battlesuite and a 360-degree defence concept.
Loitering munition: Rheinmetall ramps up series production of the Hero family in Sardinia
Rheinmetall is building Hero loitering munition models in Musei and Domusnovas, Sardinia, in cooperation with UVision. The order backlog exceeds 200 million euros; the company also offers reconnaissance drones and counter-drone systems.
Counter-drone defence in focus: “DroneVation & Defence” symposium premieres in Vienna
Expert talks, panel discussions and an exhibition on unmanned systems and how to counter them: “DroneVation & Defence” takes place in Vienna for the first time on 23 September. Counter-drone defence is on the agenda, as is critical infrastructure protection.
Counter-UAS at “Red Sands III”: Rheinmetall system impresses in Saudi Arabia
Multirotor drones, fixed-wing aircraft and up to 45 degrees Celsius: at the “Red Sands III” exercise, Rheinmetall Canada's Ultra-SHORAD system hit every drone. The manufacturer calls it particularly cost-effective for ultra-short-range counter-UAS.
Drone operating system: Rheinmetall and Auterion conclude multi-year agreement
A common drone operating system is to unify unmanned systems in the air, on land and at sea: Rheinmetall contributes experience from Luna NG and Aladin, Auterion its field-proven software.
Target drone Delta B-15 from Rheinmetall: Qinetiq completes first flight for the Bundeswehr
At the Todendorf training area, the Delta B15 has flown successfully for the first time as part of the Uncrewed Aerial Training Services (ATS). The Rheinmetall target drone is to support training of the Bundeswehr's ground-based air defence (GBAD).
Counter-UAS: fighting drones with Bullfrog, Skyranger & Co
Counter-UAS is moving ever further into focus for all armed forces in view of the threat situation in current conflicts. Recently, the call for so-called hard-kill systems in particular has grown louder.
Ground drone for the US Army: American Rheinmetall Vehicles wins award in S-MET programme
Eight prototypes in 2025, followed by comparative tests against a competing system: this is how things proceed for the ground drone from American Rheinmetall Vehicles and Textron Systems in the US Army's S-MET programme.
Counter-drone defence – Oliver Dürr: “When we shoot, we hit”
Why are drones best defeated kinetically, and what role do electronic countermeasures play in counter-drone defence? Answers from Oliver Dürr, managing director of Rheinmetall Air Defence in Zurich.
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🎥 Rheinmetall Skyranger & die Zukunft der Luftverteidigung | Interview mit Tobias Lehmann
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