The partnership will combine Rheinmetall’s experience in drone manufacturing with Auterion’s expertise in software solutions to create a unified operating standard. By standardising operations, the companies aim to simplify training, ensure interoperability, and enhance efficiency for military users worldwide.
Rheinmetall brings its extensive operational experience with systems such as the Luna NG and Aladin drones, which have been used by the German Armed Forces for years and recently deployed in Ukraine. This practical knowledge will inform the development of the new standard, ensuring it meets the demands of real-world military operations.
Dr Timo Haas, Chief Digital Officer at Rheinmetall AG, highlighted the need for such a system, saying: “We see over two hundred different aerial unmanned systems in Ukraine. This makes military training very costly and time-consuming, and system interoperability is not guaranteed. Co-operation with Auterion and the development of a homogeneous operating system will enable the efficient and scalable deployment of unmanned systems.”
Auterion’s CEO, Lorenz Meier, underscored the importance of creating a common operating framework for drones. “In the future, drones will be used in large quantities and, like computers and smartphones, they need a common operating system to make this happen,” he said. “AuterionOS allows the customer to combine all drones on a common basis and to integrate different manufacturers into a common architecture.”
The collaboration will also include joint product development and sales activities for unmanned platforms. This unified approach is expected to reduce costs and complexity for military organisations, while enabling a seamless integration of various drone types into broader defence systems.
