Networked UAV Reconnaissance in Bundeswehr Field Test

Rheinmetall has successfully participated in a Bundeswehr field test at the Army Combat Training Centre in Saxony-Anhalt, validating the use of its LUNA NG unmanned aerial vehicle within a fully networked reconnaissance and operational environment based exclusively on unmanned systems.

Test scope and operational context
The test, conducted by the Bundeswehr, focused on the interaction between reconnaissance and operational networks, covering the full chain from target detection and identification to counter-measures. All elements involved were unmanned systems, including reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions.

Such end-to-end testing reflects growing interest in networked and collaborative unmanned operations, including drone swarms, which are still considered an emerging and largely unproven capability in modern military doctrine.

LUNA NG and the HUSAR programme
Within the Bundeswehr, the LUNA NG system is fielded under the HUSAR (Highly Efficient Unmanned System for Medium-Range Reconnaissance) programme. During the exercise, Rheinmetall successfully integrated LUNA NG with the Bundeswehr’s Command & Control Unmanned Management System (C2-UMS Bw).

This integration enables LUNA NG to operate as part of a shared digital environment, coordinating with other unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions rather than functioning as a standalone reconnaissance asset.

Technical capabilities and performance
LUNA NG is designed for medium-range reconnaissance missions and offers an endurance of more than 12 hours, with a maximum operating altitude of up to 5,000 metres. These characteristics allow persistent surveillance over large operational areas while maintaining a low acoustic signature at altitude.

During the test, the system demonstrated the ability to handle short-notice tasking reliably, processing reconnaissance assignments within tight timeframes. Its endurance and quiet operation supported continuous data collection without frequent system rotation.

Networked reconnaissance and situational awareness
A central focus of the test was the digital networking of reconnaissance and operational assets. By linking LUNA NG into the C2-UMS Bw, sensor data and high-resolution target information were distributed in near real time to other participants in the network.

Ground units and connected unmanned systems received continuous status updates covering wide operational areas, enabling a shared situational picture. According to the test results, this level of integration significantly reduced the time required to detect, mark, and engage targets.

Application perspective
The exercise highlighted how tightly integrated unmanned reconnaissance platforms can accelerate decision-making cycles when connected directly to operational networks. Rather than treating reconnaissance as a sequential, stand-alone activity, the test demonstrated a model where sensing, data fusion, and action are digitally linked.

For armed forces evaluating future concepts of operations, the results underline the role of interoperable command-and-control systems in unlocking the full potential of long-endurance UAVs such as LUNA NG.