MBDA Italia Unveils New Loitering Munitions for Next-Gen Warfare
MBDA Italia has introduced two new loitering munitions, marking a significant step in Italy’s defense capabilities. These advanced systems made their first public appearance during the Italian Mountain Troops exercise “Volpe Bianca 2025.” Developed in collaboration with local UAV manufacturers Siralab and Sky Eyes Systems, these munitions are designed to enhance battlefield flexibility and precision strikes while ensuring full national control over production and deployment.
The new loitering munition family consists of two distinct variants: the Mini, a quadcopter designed for short-range urban operations, and the Small, a fixed-wing system intended for longer-range missions. Both are fully integrated into the Italian Army’s digital battlespace, allowing seamless coordination with cyber and electromagnetic warfare units. Their ability to deliver precision strikes beyond the line of sight makes them valuable assets for modern warfare scenarios.
A key aspect of these munitions is their modular and software-defined architecture, allowing for adaptability in different operational environments. Both systems share common software for guidance and navigation, and their ground control station (GCS) can be used interchangeably. The lethal payloads, developed by KNDS Ammo Italy, feature high-explosive fragmentation warheads, optimized for targeting a range of threats, including light-armored vehicles and enemy personnel.
The Small loitering munition is a man-portable, catapult-launched fixed-wing system with an operational range of 10-15 km and an endurance of 30-40 minutes. Designed for open battlefield engagements, it features a foldable airframe and an electric propulsion system. Its frontal attack profile and modular payload capability allow it to be used for various mission types.
On the other hand, the Mini loitering munition is a quadcopter designed for urban combat with a shorter operational range of 1-5 km. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability makes it highly maneuverable in complex environments like urban canyons. The warhead is positioned at the bottom, ensuring an optimal fragmentation pattern for maximum impact on enemy forces.
Both systems include advanced optronics for target acquisition and operator-confirmed engagement, ensuring precise strikes while reducing collateral damage. Additionally, an abort function allows operators to cancel the attack at any moment before impact.
While the Mini and Small variants represent the first generation (Mk0) of this loitering munition family, MBDA Italia has already outlined a development roadmap to enhance their performance. Future iterations are expected to incorporate AI-driven target recognition, improved endurance, and potentially a Medium-class system with extended range and payload capacity.
The Italian Army’s shift towards treating such systems as disposable battlefield assets aligns with global trends in drone warfare, emphasizing mass production, cost efficiency, and rapid deployment. As Italy strengthens its indigenous defense capabilities, these new loitering munitions are set to become a key component of its modern military strategy.
