Rheinmetall has attached missiles to the Primoco drone for self—defense - now it can shoot back from fighter jets

Czech drone with German weapons

Rheinmetall took the Czech Primoco One 150 reconnaissance drone and turned it into a combat vehicle. Previously, this device was used mainly for surveillance and data collection. Now serious weapons have been added to it, including missiles that can attack other aircraft. The basis was a drone from the Czech Primoco, and weapons and integration from the German giant Rheinmetall.

It turned out to be a hybrid: a quiet and hardy scout who now knows how to shoot back.

Homing bombs and air–to-air missiles

Two types of weapons were installed on the Primoco One 150. The first is homing ammunition for strikes against ground targets. The second, and completely unexpected for such a drone— is an air–to-air missile. They are needed to repel attacks by fighter jets or helicopters that may try to shoot down a drone.

Drones like this used to be an easy target. Now, if they're spotted, they can respond.

The drone is no longer just a target

Before that, most reconnaissance drones were considered vulnerable. They fly to themselves, take pictures, transmit data, and that's it, no defense. If they were discovered, all that remained was to leave or be shot down.

Rheinmetall solved this problem radically: let the drone decide for itself when to use weapons. This is especially important in areas with dense air defenses, where every device counts.

Why would a drone need a weapon against airplanes

Imagine: a drone flies into an area where enemy interceptors are flying. Previously, he just turned off the speed and went into hiding. Now he can detect the threat, launch the rocket and continue the mission.

This does not mean that it will become a replacement for fighter jets. But in autonomous operations, this ability increases the chances of survival. This means that it takes longer to keep in touch, longer to conduct reconnaissance, longer to participate in combat.

Sources

1. Interfax — Rheinmetall developing a 12-hour-endurance drone able to carry and launch up to eight loitering munitions.
2. Overclockers.ru — Primoco One “mother-ship” drone armed with HERO R-20 loitering weapons and an air-to-air missile for counter-UAS defense.
3. Ponomaroleg.com — Czech Primoco One 150 UAV upgraded with experimental German weaponry: 30 kg payload, 1,800 km range, 6–8 h endurance.
4. Wikipedia — overview of air-to-air guided missile principles relevant to the new Rheinmetall payloads.