German defense giant Rheinmetall unveiled its RV-005 anti-aircraft drone for the first time at the Xponential robotics exhibition, which is taking place in Düsseldorf from March 24 to 26. A key feature of the drone is its use of artificial intelligence technologies, designed to enable it to attack a selected target even in the face of radio jamming.
It is designed to counter other drones and can be integrated into any anti-drone system. According to Hartpunkt, it is currently integrated into Rheinmetall's Skymaster command and control system, which is used in Skyranger air defense systems.
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The RV-005 has a top speed of 300 km/h, a range of up to 15 km, and a payload of up to 1 kg, but it is designed to destroy targets solely by ramming them. The drone also incorporates a number of solutions and components from the new FV-014 strike drone, which has already been battle-tested, although Rheinmetall has not officially confirmed its use in Ukraine.
From Defense Express we would like to note that the RV-005, which was displayed at the exhibition at full scale, features a rather interesting design layout. Rather than a traditional symmetrical X-shaped configuration, Rheinmetall adopted a complex integrated, aircraft-type design with a clearly defined wing, while retaining four pusher propellers.
This may be attributed to the increasingly crowded anti-aircraft drone market, even within Germany itself. Among the most well-known projects from major players, three others are worth mentioning. In particular, Quantum Systems is currently promoting a traditional X-shaped design, combined with a rocket booster—the Jäger.
Diehl's IRIS-T developers employed a single-engine, missile-style design in the Cicada, which is now part of the Garmr system.
TYTAN Technologies has opted for a pure aircraft design and was the first to conduct tests in Ukraine.
Rheinmetall may also be keen for the RV-005 to achieve a battle-tested status. Competition is not only heating up within Germany, but also across the EU, where companies are racing for anti-aircraft drone contracts. In this context, Blaze, produced by the Latvian company Origin Robotics, is actively securing orders, having recently signed a contract with a fourth country.
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