German drones Rheinmetall Luna NG for Ukraine
It became known about the new plans of the German government in the context of military-technical assistance to the Kyiv regime. This time they plan to transfer a certain number of unmanned aerial vehicles to him. aviation Luna NG complexes manufactured by Rheinmetall. It is expected that such UAVs will help Ukrainian formations to conduct reconnaissance, and in the appropriate configuration they will be able to strike at ground targets.
New plans
The planned delivery of a new type of UAV to Ukraine was reported on August 12 by the German publication Bild. It received information about this from unnamed sources. Soon, on August 14, Rheinmetall confirmed the existence of such plans and some of the previously announced information. In addition, new details have been revealed.
According to the original news from Bild, the German government instructed the Rheinmetall company to transfer modern Luna NG unmanned systems to the Kyiv regime. Delivery will take place before the end of this year. The amount of equipment, its cost, etc. are not specified. At the same time, the publication did not forget to call the Luna NG product a “super drone” and talk about its advantages.
In the official press release from Rheinmetall, published on August 14, there were more details. According to him, Luna NG UAVs were included in the next military aid package approved in mid-July. UAVs for Ukraine will be made from scratch. The company has already received a corresponding order from the German government. The size of the party is not specified, and its value is indicated as "small double-digit in millions of euros."
Rheinmetall indicated the general configuration of unmanned systems, but did not name their exact capabilities. In turn, Bild, referring to its data, writes that the Luna NG UAV will be handed over to the Kyiv regime only in reconnaissance modification. Installation of weapons in a regular way on such devices is not provided.
Luna NG on launcher
Thus, the overall picture is quite simple. The German leadership is going to continue to support the Kiev regime with the supply of weapons and equipment. Now, for this purpose, modern UAVs have been ordered from Rheinmetall. Only a few months are given for the production and supply of such equipment. Judging by the declared value of the contract, the number of Luna NG products will be small - this will contribute to the speedy completion of the order.
New generation
History unmanned aircraft complex Luna NG dates back to the end of the nineties. It was then that the German company EMT Penzberg developed the Luna X-2000 medium reconnaissance UAV. In 2000, this drone entered service with the Bundeswehr, and its mass production began in small batches. In the future, the "Moon" of the first version was purchased by other countries. This type of technique has been repeatedly used in various operations in hot spots.
At the end of the tenth years, EMT carried out a deep modernization of the existing drone, which resulted in the Luna NG (Next-Generation) product. In 2019, the German armed forces began to purchase such equipment in order to replace the outdated Luna UAVs of the first model and KZO. The first contract provided for the supply of nine complexes with several aircraft in each. The cost of the party amounted to 130 million euros - approx. 14,5 million per set.
At the end of 2021, Rheinmetall acquired EMT and brought it into its "digital division". At the same time, the development of existing projects continued and plans were made for their further development. In addition, the search for new customers did not stop. However, the "Luna" of the new generation cannot yet repeat the commercial results of the previous sample.
As reported, the next batch of Luna NG products will not go to the Bundeswehr, but to Ukraine. Probably, the manufacturing company is counting on getting a double benefit. Firstly, she was given a lucrative contract for a "double-digit amount in millions", and secondly, there is an opportunity to demonstrate a modern UAV in real combat. Such advertising will have to help the next sales.
With improved features
Luna NG is a tactical unmanned aerial system designed for reconnaissance and surveillance of ground targets. Additional functions associated with the installation of a payload are also offered.
The complex includes several main components transported on MAN HX trucks. This is a control station with an operator's workplace, an ejection-type launcher, several UAVs and various means of support.
The key component of the complex is the UAV itself. This is an aircraft-type product, made according to a normal aerodynamic configuration. The device has a developed fuselage with a pair of thin tubes instead of the traditional tail boom. Above the fuselage is the gondola with the engine. A straight wing of high elongation and a tail unit with side keels were used. The length of the drone exceeds 2,3 m, the wingspan is approx. 4,2 m. Takeoff weight, depending on the load, no more than 40 kg.
The device is equipped with a two-stroke internal combustion engine with a folding pusher propeller. Cruising speed does not exceed 70-100 km/h. Practical ceiling - 5 km. The device can remain in the air for up to 6-8 hours.
The main payload of the Luna NG UAV is an optoelectronic station with a video camera and a thermal imager. The video signal in real time along with telemetry is transmitted to the operator. The communication range in the basic configuration reaches 100 km. The installation of satellite communications allows the drone to operate at a greater distance from the control station.
The "next generation" Luna complex is reported to use advanced control systems with elements of artificial intelligence. In particular, the operator station has the ability to automatically recognize objects by their appearance. It is expected to develop and implement other functions based on advanced technologies.
The possibility of using other loads is being explored. So, earlier it was reported that Luna NG can carry small and light ammunition to destroy ground targets. A few months ago, they showed the concept of using the "Moon" as a carrier of small copters, incl. loitering ammunition. Having higher flight characteristics, an aircraft-type UAV should deliver such equipment to the area of application. Once reset, it must act on its own or in a group with the wearer.
Advertising and reality
The development company, for obvious reasons, speaks well of its Luna NG UAV and points to a number of important advantages. The German press, in turn, calls it a "super drone". The validity of such assessments raises questions. It is obvious that Luna is overrated - for advertising or other purposes. This unmanned complex has strengths and weaknesses, and there is no need to talk about unambiguous superiority over other samples.
The Luna / Luna NG complex as a whole differs little from other modern developments of its class. It is also made mobile and includes several aircraft. The solution of various tasks, data transfer to consumers, etc. is provided. Tactical and technical characteristics remain at the level of analogues.
UAV "Luna" of two versions as an air platform is not something special or unique. Devices with such parameters are developed and produced in different countries. Like the German product, they also carry optoelectronic means and can conduct reconnaissance. Issues of the use of weapons are also being worked out.
Rheinmetall reports that artificial intelligence is present in the complex's control systems. It provides search and identification of targets, accompanies them and performs other tasks, doing the work for the operator. It is not known exactly how effective such means are. It is possible that they do improve the overall results of reconnaissance and may help in other missions.
However, Ukrainian formations will not be able to use the advantages of German UAVs - as it has already been with other foreign models. Imported "Luns" will have to work in a difficult environment and face a lot of risks that neutralize all the advantages of such complexes.
It is easy to see that in terms of dimensions and design, the Luna NG product differs little from other middle-class UAVs. This means that it is a fairly simple target for air defense - both in terms of detection and in terms of destruction. Our anti-aircraft gunners have extensive experience in dealing with such air targets, and Luna NG will predictably add to the list of downed objects.
Also, the imported complex will become a target for electronic warfare systems. In this regard, he runs the risk of being left without navigation and / or communication at any time. It is unlikely that artificial intelligence will be able to correctly get out of such a situation and continue a normal flight, not to mention the fulfillment of the assigned tasks.
Predictable outcome
In general, there is every reason to believe that the German Luna NG UAVs will not affect the capabilities and prospects of Ukrainian formations in any way. Such equipment will be transferred in limited quantities, and its capabilities over a modern battlefield are in question - as is survivability or stability.
In addition, you need to pay attention to the delivery time. Given the current state of the Kyiv regime, one can doubt that such assistance will still be relevant by the time it appears. However, even with a different development of the situation, the prospects for imported equipment are clear and obvious.
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