The largest German weapon maker began producing kamikaze drones. president Armin Papperger (63) said at the online general gathering of the company: "With this system, we start mass production in our Neuss plant." He meant a drone that could fly in the air for up to 70 minutes and then crash on intent and explode.
Ombudsman Rheinmetall stated that this model is already manufactured in a plant in Brunswick and that the company intends to extend this production to a plant in Neuss close Düsseldorf. The Neuss plant has previously produced automotive parts; Rheinmetall sells out its declining automotive supplier division.
The Neuss plant will in future be utilized to manufacture military equipment specified as FV-014 drones. The German Armed Forces have late ordered these missiles for EUR 300 million, and the framework agreement allows for further procurement. The first deliveries are planned for next year. Rheinmetall showed up late.
According to reports, drones have a scope of up to 100 kilometres, and their warhead, along with the detonator, weighs about 4 kilograms. The drone may stay in the air for up to 70 minutes, observing targets. The drones are equipped with explosives and are besides utilized for exploratory purposes.
The aircraft is intended for single usage only. In the manufacture jargon, it is called "circular ammunition". These drones are fired from the container by means of a detonator; after being deployed in the air, they proceed to fly. They cannot land and be reused: after time and failure to find the target, the aircraft, produced by the reinforcement company of Düsseldorf, is designed for controlled decay.
Rheinmetall developed the drone in just a fewer months, said president Papperger at an online general assembly. "With a four-kilogram head it combines reconnaissance and combat capabilities". The key and most crucial point is that the drone is entirely produced in the EU, meaning the drone in Germany and the head in Italy.
