RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - UAV Systems for Reconnaissance, Combat Support and Attack

RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS, Bremen, Germany, one of the leading companies in the field of electronics and systems technology, is specialized in advanced technologies for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) These systems such as KZO and TARES enable precise and rapid reconnaissance at day and night, electronic countermeasures and effective results, including over large distances.

SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE, OBJECT LOCALISATION, COMBAT SUPPORT AND ATTACK

Autonomy, modularity, interoperability, and networkability are key factors in the successful global and multitask deployability of modern UAV systems. Due to the modular design, the systems can be adapted to perform various tasks and integrated in 'system-of-systems' solutions.

UAV-Solutions of RDE combine design quality with robustness, operational efficiency, high rates of availability and state-of-the-art technology for:

• Surveillance, reconnaissance and target localization supported by future-oriented technology
• Electronic warfare by means of signal-detection-based reconnaissance and jamming
• Highly precise stand-off operation

Although each of those systems has to perform a particular set of tasks, components of the same type are used in several of our products. Significant cost savings can be achieved by means of highly modular design, for modularity increases the useful life of technical systems. In addition, expenditure on repairs and maintenance is reduced, since spare parts are obtainable at favourable prices, and labour costs are minimized.

KZO UAV - ADVANCED SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE AND TARGET LOCALISATION UAV SYSTEM

With the KZO UAV RDE possesses a highly advanced surveillance, reconnaissance and target localisation system. Transmitted in real time, the data supports the virtually instantaneous adoption of countermeasures, as well as the onward transmission of the information required for situation assessments and poststrike-damage analysis.

The payload used for this specific task is an imaging infrared sensor capable of acquiring highly accurate data on fixed and moving targets at any time of the day or night, and in just about any kind of weather.

By the end of 2007, the German Army will have six KZO systems in its inventory, comprising sixty drones and twelve ground systems. The first system was delivered in November 2005.

COMBAT UAV - TARES

In today's and future combat scenarios, targets in hostile areas have to be destroyed without endangering friendly forces and civilians and without exposing own troops to enemy fire. The combat UAV TARES is a system especially designed for such missions. The container launched air vehicle is a cross-wing type with pusher propeller, designed for high point precision target engagement in steep dive.

Systems configuration:

• Truck-Mounted Ground Control Station: Identical Workstations with Interchangeable Tasks for Flight Control, Sensor Control, Communications and Interface to C4I-system or others
• Truck-Mounted Ground Data Terminal
• Truck-Mounted Launcher
• Recovery Vehicle
• Refurbishing Vehicle
• Logistics / In Service Support

SYSTEM SOLUTIONS IN COOPERATION

HALE / MALE GERMAN ARMED FORCES JOINT UAV

The HALE / MALE German Armed Forces Joint UAV system for wide area reconnaissance is able to fly long distances at high altitudes beyond the range of most air defence systems, for periods of over 24 hours. The system concept for the German Armed Forces is based on a cooperation with Diehl BGT Defence and General Atomics. Adapted national system elements such as ground control station, data link etc. of the tactical UAV systems of RDE can be supplemented with the UAV “Predator B”, produced by General Atomics and in service with US forces.

VTOL UAV EAGLE-EYE FOR EUROPEAN NAVIES

To meet the tactical mission requirements of modern European expeditionary forces Bell Helicopter, RDE and SAGEM have combined their UAV expertise to provide a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV system based on a modified version of Bell's Eagle Eye UAV air vehicle.

See also:
Airforce Technology - RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Flight Simulation
Army Technology - RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Electronic Equipment and Systems
Army Technology - RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Land Based Vehicle and Battlefield Simulation
Naval Technology - RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Nautical and Naval Simulation
Power Technology - RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS - Power Plant Simulation