UVision Air Ltd. and Rheinmetall have signed this week a strategic partnering agreement for loitering munitions. The agreement leverages both companies’ capabilities to provide the European market with precise, combat-proven weapon systems. The Hero family of loitering munitions will be available to European customers to satisfy contemporary and emerging operational requirements.
Through this partnership, UVision and Rheinmetall will offer end-to-end solutions for loitering munitions to the armed forces of Europe. Rheinmetall will take the industrial, technological and commercial lead for enhancing the capabilities of the weapon system; UVision will make available the Hero loitering munitions, based on in-depth technological expertise and operational experience. The parties plan to integrate the combat-proven Hero series into Rheinmetall’s portfolio of manned and unmanned vehicle platforms, launchers, battle management systems and armoured vehicles like the Lynx.
The Hero family of loitering munitions comprises several models. Designed for different missions, from short to medium and long ranges and flight times using various warheads, the Hero series of high-precision loitering munitions provides operational forces with combined intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities, allowing them to independently locate, track and engage time-sensitive, low-signature targets. These advanced munitions can loiter in the air in a clandestine manner for an extended period of time; locate and track the enemy; help to validate targets; and carry out a precise strike. The Hero system can abort an attack in mid-air; re-enter loitering mode; and then resume the attack, or re-assign targets, thus minimizing collateral damage and providing operational forces with unsurpassed tactical flexibility on the modern battlefield.
“Entering the market for loitering munitions is an important strategic step for us”, notes Dr Alexander Sagel, head of Rheinmetall’s Division Weapon and Ammunition. “In doing so, we are systematically pivoting to meet changing customer requirements and growing market demand. We aspire to provide our customers with high-tech solutions. Together with UVision, we will be offering products made in Europe for the European market to address growing European demand. With this partnership we aim to occupy the leading position in Europe. Building on our mutually reinforcing capabilities, we will also establish a strong foundation for developing new products together.”
Major General (ret) Avi Mizrachi, UVision’s CEO, adds: “Teaming up with Rheinmetall is a major step for UVision, which is meant to provide our operational customers with the advanced even greater technological advantages, along with European quick support and training abilities. By adding and integrating our Loitering Munitions to Rheinmetall’s vast portfolio of munitions, warheads, combat platforms and battle-management systems already in use by leading military forces, we can now offer many of European allied forces much broader and more complete solutions to their Defense needs”.