Rheinmetall and AeroVironment team up for NATO special forces project
AeroVironment's Puma 3 AE UAS. (Photo: AeroVironment)
The duo believe they are a perfect match to meet the requirement for a small special forces UAS.
Rheinmetall and AeroVironment have teamed up to compete for a NATO special forces project.
Group subsidiary Rheinmetall Technical Publications and US loitering munition maker AeroVironment have applied to participate in a NATO procurement programme for a small UAS for special operations and infantry applications.
The system should be capable of operating in all conditions, be quick to deploy, hand-launchable and have a maximum weight of 10kg.
The small UAS must have an operating range of 30km.
The duo said they were ‘ideally suited’ for developing and putting forward a solution for the requirement.
Known for its loitering munitions, AeroVironment is a leader in the design, development, and production of UAS.
The company produces the Puma 3 AE UAS, which according to Rheinmetall, offers an optimum platform for a small special forces UAS.
Rheinmetall Technical Publications is a systems house for tactical drones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Rolls-Royce wins $711 million contract to support UK Royal Air Force Typhoon engines]()
Rolls-Royce wins $711 million contract to support UK Royal Air Force Typhoon engines
The contract covers maintenance and service for the EJ200 engine that powers the UK Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fleet.
-
![Pivotal showcases BlackFly eVTOL at SOF Week with eyes on military adoption (video)]()
Pivotal showcases BlackFly eVTOL at SOF Week with eyes on military adoption (video)
Pivotal has demonstrated its lightweight electric VTOL aircraft, BlackFly, live at SOF Week 2025, as the company positions the platform for special operations and wider defence applications.
-
![Skydio X10D becomes first UAS delivered for Tranche 2 US Army Short Range Reconnaissance programme]()
Skydio X10D becomes first UAS delivered for Tranche 2 US Army Short Range Reconnaissance programme
The drone has equipped a US Army Transforming in Contact (TiC) to provide it with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
-
![AeroVironment unveils new one-way attack drone Red Dragon and Titan 4 C-UAS]()
AeroVironment unveils new one-way attack drone Red Dragon and Titan 4 C-UAS
The two new platforms form part of AeroVironment’s growing portfolio of UAS and C-UAS solutions, following its acquisition of BlueHalo in May to scale its technology and business.
