Ukraine to receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG recon drones
A LUNA system comprises five UAVs, two ground control stations, maintenance and repair equipment, two launchers, and two recovery systems. (Image: Rheinmetall)
Ukrainian defence forces will this year receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG short-range reconnaissance UAS, an order described by the company as ‘worth a low double-digit million Euro amount’.
LUNA NG (Unbemannte Nahaufklärungs-Ausstattung der Nächsten Generation or unmanned short-range reconnaissance equipment, next generation) has been ordered as part of an assistance package for Ukraine which was unveiled by the German government in July 2023.
A system comprises five UAVs, two ground control stations, maintenance and repair equipment, two launchers, and two recovery systems. For this order, the entire system is truck-mounted with a swap body system made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles.
The lightweight UAV can remain aloft for more than 12 hours and when fitted with optional SATCOM equipment has a datalink range of up to 300km. It has not been disclosed if the Ukrainian systems have such a capability but it is very likely. Without SATCOM, the range is believed to be 150km.
Related Articles
Pakistan Navy inducts ATR 72 aircraft and Luna NG UAVs
Rheinmetall poised to acquire UAV manufacturer
The German Army ordered four LUNA NG systems in July 2017 under a €63 million ($71.85 million) contract, which also included training and support services to meet the German Army's High-Efficiency UAV for Medium-Range Reconnaissance (HUSAR) programme. On the basis of this contract value it is likely only two systems are being supplied to Ukraine.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Boeing wins US$178 million US Air Force contract to deliver further MH-139A helicopters]()
Boeing wins US$178 million US Air Force contract to deliver further MH-139A helicopters
Boeing said it was on track to deliver the first Low-Rate Initial Production MH-139A helicopter to the US Air Force in mid-2024.
-
![Leonardo and Textron pitch M-346N for upcoming US Navy T-45 replacement]()
Leonardo and Textron pitch M-346N for upcoming US Navy T-45 replacement
Leonardo and Textron’s joint effort to introduce the M-346N aircraft into the US Navy’s training programme has promised to offer a proven efficient training enterprise as the T-45 replacement.
-
![US Air Force Awards $13 billion Doomsday aircraft contract]()
US Air Force Awards $13 billion Doomsday aircraft contract
The deal included engineering and manufacturing development aircraft, ground systems, production aircraft and interim contractor support until 2036.
-
![Croatia receives first batch of French Rafale fighter jets]()
Croatia receives first batch of French Rafale fighter jets
Croatia will receive a total of 12 used Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from France by 2025.
-
![Airbus could miss out as India’s air refueller saga drags on]()
Airbus could miss out as India’s air refueller saga drags on
Amid heightened demand for aerial refuelling capabilities in India, Airbus Defence faces a potential setback in securing defence contracts in the country due to escalating costs and concerns over trust.
