Rheinmetall Full-Speed Series Production of HERO Loitering Munition Production in Itlay

Rheinmetall has begun full-speed series production of UVision’s HERO loitering munitions at two RWM Italia plants in Sardinia, with assembly and electronics in Musei and warhead manufacture and integration in Domusnovas. This production increase supports a European order backlog exceeding €200 million and is part of Rheinmetall’s broader uncrewed and counter-UAS portfolio, marketed as a sensor-to-effector ecosystem.

The work in Sardinia is organized to separate airframe assembly and electronics from warhead integration. Musei handles the assembly of airframes and electronics, while Domusnovas focuses on warhead manufacture and integration. This separation improves workflow efficiency and safety while ensuring that the production lines can meet European demand.

The HERO family includes several variants designed for different operational requirements. The HERO 30 is a short-range, man-portable system weighing approximately 7.8 kg, with a 0.5 kg warhead, a maximum range of 20 km, and a 30-minute endurance. The HERO 120 is a medium-range system intended for precision strikes against armored vehicles and fixed positions, with higher endurance and warhead capacity. Larger variants, such as the HERO 400, HERO 900, and HERO 1250, provide extended range and endurance for engaging fortified or strategic targets, with the HERO 1250 able to operate up to 200 km and loiter for 6 hours.

On production capacity, the Sardinian facilities have increased output compared with previous months. Current reporting indicates the combined lines are capable of producing several hundred units per month depending on the variant mix. The ramp-up ensures that Rheinmetall can fulfill existing European contracts efficiently while remaining flexible to adapt production according to customer requirements and specific HERO models.

The integration of HERO into Rheinmetall’s defense portfolio emphasizes interoperability within a sensor-to-effector framework. Detection, command and control, and the munitions themselves are designed to work together within a broader uncrewed and counter-UAS ecosystem, allowing operators to coordinate surveillance and strike operations more efficiently.

Practical considerations for this production include skilled labor, quality control for energetic components, and secure facilities for testing and acceptance. Full-speed production in Musei and Domusnovas allows Rheinmetall to meet current European demand while maintaining safety and workflow standards.