Germany designs shipping containers into launch pads for 126 suicide UAVs

In the graphic released by the German company Rheinmetall, the container launcher is designed with 126 UAV launch tubes, divided into 3 separate clusters. This allows for flexible installation in different container sizes, depending on the usage needs, The War Zone reported on June 17.

Although the company did not disclose which UAV was used for the launcher, observers speculated based on the image that it was most likely the Hero-120 suicide UAV, manufactured by the Israeli company UVision. In 2021, Rheinmetall signed a strategic cooperation agreement with UVision, which includes the production of Hero series suicide UAVs, of which the Hero-120 is the most popular weapon.

Graphic image of the design of a suicide UAV launcher in the form of a container

Hero-120 has a range of about 40 - 60 km, flying continuously for up to 60 minutes. The standard version carries an explosive warhead weighing about 4.5 kg, in addition there are models optimized for anti-armor, anti-infantry and anti-vehicle missions.

The UAV has a camera mounted on it so that the operator can observe the situation and issue new commands if necessary, such as changing the flight path or canceling the attack if civilians are suddenly detected at the target.

There are several versions of the Hero suicide UAV, with the Hero-1250 being the weapon with the longest range, nearly 200 km. If Rheinmetall's container launcher could use the Hero-1250, it would be a formidable weapon with the ability to launch a series of UAVs from a distance. However, observers say that just using the Hero-120 has proven its usefulness, as the launcher can create overwhelming numbers, known as "UAV swarm" tactics.

The container design also allows the launcher to be transported flexibly by truck, train or boat.

The tactic of using suicide UAVs has proven highly effective in the conflict in Ukraine. UAVs are relatively cheap, can be deployed en masse, and can perform a variety of missions. Meanwhile, the opposing side will have to think twice about using anti-aircraft weapons, which are expensive and would be very costly to use to shoot down a single UAV.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/duc-thiet-ke-thung-container-thanh-be-phong-126-uav-tu-sat-185240619200527239.htm