Rheinmetall and AeroVironment team up for NATO special forces project
AeroVironment's Puma 3 AE UAS. (Photo: AeroVironment)
Rheinmetall and AeroVironment have teamed up to compete for a NATO special forces project.
Group subsidiary Rheinmetall Technical Publications and US loitering munition maker AeroVironment have applied to participate in a NATO procurement programme for a small UAS for special operations and infantry applications.
The system should be capable of operating in all conditions, be quick to deploy, hand-launchable and have a maximum weight of 10kg.
The small UAS must have an operating range of 30km.
The duo said they were ‘ideally suited’ for developing and putting forward a solution for the requirement.
Known for its loitering munitions, AeroVironment is a leader in the design, development, and production of UAS.
The company produces the Puma 3 AE UAS, which according to Rheinmetall, offers an optimum platform for a small special forces UAS.
Rheinmetall Technical Publications is a systems house for tactical drones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe
Canada’s interest in negotiating a procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft signals its readiness to reduce its reliance on US defence technology as trade tensions with its North American neighbour mount.
-
South American EW demand balances capability against cost
South American air forces are weighing advanced electronic warfare capabilities against limited budgets as Peru selects Viper Shield and BAE Systems targets smaller airborne platforms.
-
September crewed air review: established platforms retain their grip on the market
With many next-generation capabilities still years from operational readiness, several of the month’s largest developments demonstrated that governments remain willing to invest heavily in aircraft with proven capabilities and established support networks.
-
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.