German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is scaling up uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) production to meet rising demand through a new hub in Sardinia, Italy.
In cooperation with Israeli firm UVision Air Ltd, Rheinmetall has completed the facility for loitering munition assembly, testing, and warhead production and integration. Series production is now underway.
Rheinmetall’s Italian unit, RWM Italia, operates the hub. The inert and electronic components are assembled and tested at the Musei site, while the warheads are made and integrated into the munitions at the Domusnovas hub.
HERO Loitering Munition
The Sardinia sites currently produce three variants of Rheinmetall’s HERO loitering munition family.
The small and portable HERO 30 for infantry usage weighs 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) and carries a 0.5-kilogram (1.1-pound) warhead. It has a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) operating range and an endurance of 30 minutes.
Meant for precision strikes against armored vehicles and fixed installations, the medium-sized HERO 120 weighs 12 kilograms (26 pounds) with a 4.5-kilogram (9.9 pounds) warhead. It can operate at a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles), with an endurance of 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, the 40-kilogram (88-pound) HERO 400 with a 10-kilogram (22-pound) warhead is designed for precision strikes against fortified positions. It can remain airborne for two hours, with an operational range of 60 kilometers (37 miles).
Rheinmetall said it faces a backlog of more than 200 million euros ($232 million) in HERO orders from eight NATO and non-NATO European countries.
