politics
April 14, 2026
Rheinmetall drone struggling in trials, report says
A report claims Rheinmetall’s FV-104 loitering munition underperformed in tests and is lagging behind smaller competitors
TL;DR
- Rheinmetall's FV-014 kamikaze drone is reportedly falling behind competitors in development.
- The drone has encountered multiple issues during testing, including booster failures and noise risks.
- Concerns exist regarding battery performance, integration with Bundeswehr systems, and test operator qualifications.
- Rheinmetall is competing with startups Helsing and Stark Defence for a military buildup contract.
- Helsing and Stark Defence have improved their systems and secured contracts after initial tests.
- Rheinmetall reportedly plans to deliver around 2,500 FV-014 drones valued at nearly €300 million.
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