Rheinmetall Receives NATO Orders for HERO Loitering Munitions
Rheinmetall has announced that it has received an assignment from a NATO customer to provide HERO Loitering Munition systems. This year several hundred units were ordered. The gross value of the contracts is around three million euros. Deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and are expected to be completed by the end of next year. The LM systems will be produced in Italy by RWM Italia with the support of its partner UVision Air Ltd.
The ordered HERO systems are equipped with the latest generation of high-performance anti-tank warheads developed by Rheinmetall.
In the modern production plant of RWM Italia, the serial production of loitering munitions is in full swing. The current product range includes:
- HERO 30 (Small and portable LM for infantry use)
- HERO 120 (Medium-sized LM for precision attacks against armored vehicles and fixed installations)
- HERO 400 (Medium/long-range LM for precision attacks against fortified positions)
Several NATO customers in Europe have placed orders for HERO loitering munitions.
In recent years, drones and loitering munitions have taken on increasing importance in modern warfare. Rheinmetall has responded to this evolution, both in terms of the use of these modern weapons and defense against them.
HERO Loitering Munitions belong to a family of effectors widely used and operationally tested that Rheinmetall manufactures and markets in Europe under a cooperation agreement with UVision Air Ltd. of Israel. In October 2021 Rheinmetall and UVision entered into a strategic partnership to meet the increasing demand for remotely controlled precision munitions.
Characteristics of HERO Loitering Munitions
The weapon systems possess a unique and autonomous engagement capability, including recon, tracking, and target recognition. In fact, HERO LM identifies, tracks, and engages emerging low-signature enemy targets beyond visual range (BVR).
HERO munitions circle above the area where the target is present, locate and chase it, and analyze other possible targets of opportunity.
To this end, the high-resolution electro-optical sensors and infrared cameras that the loitering munition is equipped with, help ground operators select high-value targets, as well as evaluate the timing, direction, and appropriate attack angle before performing a high-precision strike to destroy or incapacitate the designated target.
The operator can interrupt an attack mid-air, return to flight mode, and then resume the attack or reassign the HERO another pay target, with great tactical flexibility on the modern battlefield.
The three versions of HERO Loitering Munitions have a high degree of commonality and can be managed from the same operational terminal and ground data link, with obvious logistical, training, and operational benefits.
All HERO systems are designed to operate in complex battlefield conditions, also in environments without GPS signal reception or disturbed radio connections.
The HERO munition has demonstrated its effectiveness against a multitude of different targets, including infantry, moving light vehicles, tanks, enemy field fortifications, air defense systems, and critical infrastructures.
Source and photo credit @Rheinmetall AG
