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After approval by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag on September 20th, the Bundeswehr can order 13 “Highly Efficient Unmanned Systems for Medium-Range Imaging Reconnaissance” (HUSAR). The manufacturer is the technology group Rheinmetall, which recently took over the assets of the original system manufacturer, EMT, after its bankruptcy. EMT had further developed the system under the name “Airborne Unmanned Close Reconnaissance Equipment Next Generation/Bundeswehr” (LUNA NG/Bw) from the LUNA

The Bundeswehr is to receive twelve operational systems and one training system between 2025 and 2028. According to the BMVg, the total contract value is around 290.9 million euros, of which 52.3 million euros have already been paid. The project is financed from individual plan 14.

Als gesamtverantwortlicher Auftragnehmer ist die Rheinmetall-Tochter Rheinmetall Technical Publications (RTP) vorgesehen. An der Herstellung sollen u.a. die Unternehmen ESG Elektroniksystem – und Logistik-GmbH, steep GmbH, Hecka GmbH, Recon Global Inc. (Kanada) und Will-Burt Germany beteiligt werden.

Ein System LUNA NG/Bw besteht nach Unternehmensangaben aus fünf unbemannten Luftfahrzeugen (Drohnen), zwei Bodenkontrollstationen mit Kommunikationsmitteln in geschützten Funktionscontainern, separaten Telemetrieantennen sowie einer Werkstattausstattung und Ersatzteilen ebenfalls in geschützten Funktionscontainern. Zwei Start- und Landeeinrichtungen komplettieren das System. Neben der Standard-Startrampe für den Katapultstart bietet Rheinmetall optional eine elektrische Senkrecht-Start-Fähigkeit an. Die Landung erfolgt im Landenetz oder per Fallschirm und Airbag.

At the DSEI 2023 arms trade fair, Rheinmetall presented LUNA NG/Bw with the optional vertical take-off capability. (Photo: Rheinmetall JP Weisswange)

The take-off weight of the drone is limited to 100 kg for legal reasons, a Rheinmetall representative explained at the DSEI 2023 arms trade fair. The payload of up to 30 kg includes electro-optical and infrared sensors as well as the means of communication. This means the drone can fly up to 5.5 km high at a speed of up to 150 km/h. In twelve hours of operation (depending on speed), the drone can travel up to 150 km from the base. When using the optional communication via satellite, the distance limit does not apply.

The Bundeswehr had already concluded contracts with the original manufacturer EMT in 2017 and 2019 for the procurement of HUSAR to replace the small aircraft target device (KZO). According to the BMVg, after its insolvency and the continuation of the business by the Rheinmetall subsidiary Rheinmetall Technical Publications (RTP), there was an additional financial requirement of around 84 million euros. This financial requirement identified in the 4th Amendment Treaty made it necessary to submit it again to the Budget Committee.

As Rheinmetall announced at the DSEI, Ukraine will receive a LUNA NG system this year. The order for this is part of the military support pact that the federal government launched in July.

Gerhard Heiming

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