An unnamed NATO partner ordered HERO loitering munitions

Rheinmetall and UVision are to supply HERO loitering munitions to a major European NATO partner.

This is stated in the report of the German Rheinmetall.

Rheinmetall and its partner UVision have won a first order from a major European NATO military force for HERO loitering munitions.

The customer, a special forces formation of an unnamed country, ordered Hero-30 combat and training munitions, simulator, training courses as well as integrated logistics equipment and support.

The exact number of munitions to be supplied is classified.

The order was placed in July 2022, with delivery scheduled to take place by 2023.

For both Rheinmetall and UVision, the order is of particular importance as it is the first delivery to a major European NATO force.

The contract was awarded under secrecy clauses which limit disclosure of its full details to the public.

However, prior to awarding the contract, the customer conducted a market survey indicating that the HERO family had already proven itself in service with other armed forces such as the US Marine Corps.

HERO-30 is brought into combat readiness within a few minutes and is capable of developing a speed of up to 185 km/h. The HERO-30 system in a knapsack version is the smallest overall representative of the UVision loitering munitions family.

Specifications of HERO-30:

• Weight 3 kg (approximately 1/3 of the weight is the battery, another 1/3 is the warhead, according to another version, the weight of the warhead is 0.5 kg);
• Working height – 300-600 m;
• Flight time – 30 minutes;
• Speed – 185 km/h;
• The range is 40 km.

In 2020, the UVision tested the HERO-30 attack unmanned aircraft systems against maritime targets. The tests took place under the conditions of the use of radio-electronic interference, including jamming of the GPS navigation system.