Rheinmetall and UVision develop Hero-R rotary-wing loitering munition

Rheinmetall and UVision are developing Hero-R rotary-wing loitering munition. (Rheinmetall)

Rheinmetall and UVision are developing Hero-R rotary-wing loitering munition, officials from the two companies told defence journalists in Berlin on 7 December.

Dirk Wecker, head of strategic programmes/mission systems at Rheinmetall Electronics, said the multirotor Hero-R can be launched from a mission pod on a vehicle and has a 10-minute flight time. An example he gave of its employment was landing Hero-Rs in the corners of trenches to destroy them.

He told Janes after his presentation that Hero-R would be ready for evaluation by potential customers by the end of 2023.

Dagan Lev Ari, UVisionʼs sales and marketing director, told Janes on 15 December that Hero-R is intended for close combat as an effector for combat vehicles and dismounted soldiers. There will be two sizes – weighing around 1.5 kg and 2.5 kg – both with a maximum speed of 70 km/h and with warhead options – blast, fragmentation, and armour piercing – ranging in weight from 500 g to 1 kg. He explained that Hero-R had an endurance greater than 10 minutes, not to wait for a target but to travel to the general area where a target is located in close-combat situations. Hero-R will be able to cover the area of responsibility of a platoon or company with an engagement range comparable to that of a vehicle main gun and anti-tank guided missiles to attack targets in or behind cover, according to Lev Ari.