Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated the launch of its FV-014 loitering munition from a modular containerized missile launcher.
Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated the launch of its FV-014 loitering munition from a modular containerized missile launcher mounted on a military truck.
The demonstration took place at the German Aerospace Centre's National Test Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Cochstedt, some 200 kilometers (124 mile) west from Berlin.
During the customer trial, the FV-014 was launched both while the Rheinmetall HX truck was stationary and while it was moving, completing simulated reconnaissance and strike mission profiles.
Unlike conventional launchers, Rheinmetall's Containerized Missile Launcher is built around a standardized container that can be installed on trucks, fixed positions, or naval vessels. A configuration can carry as many as 18 FV-014 loitering munitions, allowing operators to rapidly deploy precision strike capabilities across different platforms.
The FV-014 combines reconnaissance, target identification, and precision strike functions in a single electrically powered system. It has an operational range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles), endurance of up to 70 minutes, and carries a high-explosive dual-purpose warhead capable of penetrating more than 600 mm of armor steel.
Rheinmetall said the munition is designed to operate in contested environments with a high degree of autonomy and resilience against interference. Even so, it retains permanent human-in-the-loop control, allowing operators to identify targets, authorize strikes, or abort missions if conditions change.
Rheinmetall Expands FV-014
Rheinmetall's FV-014 loitering munition advanced from successful testing to large-scale procurement in 2026.
In April, the German Armed Forces awarded the company a multi-billion-euro framework contract to supply the FV-014, with an initial 300-million-euro ($351 million) order and deliveries set to begin in 2027.
Earlier, in February, it demonstrated its precision strike capabilities during live trials, successfully completing multiple attack profiles and operational maneuvers.
