Rheinmetall LUNA NG drone gets Bundeswehr
Germany's military aviation authority has granted provisional airworthiness certification to the Rheinmetall LUNA NG unmanned reconnaissance system
Germany's Luftfahrtamt der Bundeswehr (LufABw) has issued a provisional airworthiness certificate for the Rheinmetall LUNA NG unmanned reconnaissance system. This interim approval allows the German armed forces to conduct their own flight operations for training and testing purposes.
Rheinmetall stated that the majority of criteria for full type certification have been met, with the final process still ongoing. The company also confirmed that the first German military pilots and verifiers have completed their training on the new system.
Certification followed 200 flight hours
Before receiving military approval, the LUNA NG system completed approximately 150 sorties and 200 flight hours under civil operating licenses. Mike Schmidt, CEO of Rheinmetall's Air Unmanned Space unit, explained the certification was conducted against the same stringent standards applied to large aircraft like the Airbus A320.
He noted that safety-critical components, including the autopilot and navigation systems, had to be developed and certified in-house. This was necessary because no certified equivalents were available for tactical unmanned aircraft of this class.
Rheinmetall claims this approval enables the LUNA NG to operate in regular, restricted airspace while meeting civil safety standards. The company suggests this compliance could eventually permit routine operations over densely populated areas in Europe.
Bundeswehr HUSAR program details
The Bundeswehr is acquiring the system under the designation HUSAR. Rheinmetall assumed control of the program after the original manufacturer, EMT, became insolvent.
A contract amendment signed on September 28, 2023, covers the purchase of 12 production systems and one pilot system for approximately 200 million euros (231 million dollars). The first production system was initially scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2025, though Rheinmetall's latest announcement did not provide an updated timeline.
System components and specifications
Each complete HUSAR system includes multiple components, as detailed in the table below.
| Component | Quantity per System |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | 5 |
| Ground Control Systems | 2 |
| Launcher Vehicles | 2 |
| Antenna Masts | 2 |
| Repair Shop | 1 |
| Transport Platforms | 3 |
Rheinmetall specifies the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 110 kilograms (242 pounds). It can operate at altitudes up to 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) and has an endurance of more than 12 hours.
In a separate agreement from August 2023, Rheinmetall also committed to supplying LUNA NG systems to Ukraine. The company valued that deal in the low double-digit million-euro range.
