Rheinmetall and Praetorian Aeronautics partner on containerised AERIE counter-uncrewed aircraft system

Rheinmetall has partnered with Australian company Praetorian Aeronautics to deliver AERIE; Autonomous-Engagement-Rapid-Interceptor-Effector – a containerised Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System (C-UAS). The Australian collaborative research and development partnership has delivered a prototype from concept within 12 months and signals Rheinmetall’s and Praetorian Aeronautics’ shared commitment to rapid advanced development to meet today’s evolving challenges. The AERIE containerised air defence solution is an interceptor agnostic self-sustained, containerised deployable C-UAS launcher. It has the ability to house 20+ interceptors and is highly mobile, packing in to a 20ft ISO shipping container.  The demonstrator features Praetorian Aeronatics’ Arrow Interceptor and Hadrian Command and Control (C2); designed and developed in Australia. Arrow Interceptor is an autonomous, high speed, low cost interceptor for kinetic neutralisation of multiple UxS threat-types beyond visual range. Hadrian C2 is an advanced AI-enhanced system for management of autonomous effectors across air, land and maritime domains. Able to be rapidly deployed and reloaded, AERIE offers a containerised, low-cost and effective solution to counter the threat posed by the increasing availability of low-cost uncrewed drones and aerial systems. Speaking of the partnership, Nathan Poyner, Managing Director Rheinmetall Defence Australia highlighted the company’s global support of Australian sovereign capability. “Rheinmetall has a long and proud history of transferring technology and forging alliances with partners around the world. Our work with Praetorian Aeronatics continues this focus and has delivered a working concept of advanced C-UAS using Australian ingenuity with global air defence engineering and manufacturing know-how,” said Poyner. Praetorian Aeronautics’ CEO, Brett Hill spoke of the pioneering Australian organisation’s growth and global partnerships. “Praetorian Aeronatics has been developing cutting edge systems for more than three years. Our partnership with Rheinmetall brings together our unique AI-enhanced C2 system and Arrow Interceptor with Rheinmetall’s engineering systems and production capability. Together, we have delivered an Australian air defence solution for emerging global threats,” said Hill. The AERIE system is scheduled to move to full operator demonstrations in Q4 2026. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions provides Germany with satellite access Less than a year after its official commissioning, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH has reached another key milestone in the new SPOCK 1 satellite programme for the German Armed Forces. The German armed forces now have direct access to several Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) reconnaissance satellites dedicated exclusively to this purpose. They can commission these satellites independently, thereby building on the SAR reconnaissance capabilities already available via other satellites. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions operates the SAR satellites and continues to expand the constellation. This capability is being used primarily to protect the brigade in Lithuania and to monitor NATO’s eastern flank. SPOCK 1 stands for ‘SAR Space System for Persistent Operational Tracking, Stage 1’ and describes the initial phase of a national radar reconnaissance system designed for continuous, all-weather satellite surveillance. Meanwhile, production of SAR satellites has successfully commenced at the Neuss site. With the start of production, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions is moving from the planning and development phase to industrial implementation. The Neuss site brings together production, integration, testing and quality assurance. Highly qualified specialists from production, engineering and quality management oversee the entire manufacturing process. Highly qualified specialists from production, engineering, and quality management oversee the entire manufacturing process. The aim is to build and certify several dozen satellites for launch into Earth’s orbit each year on the banks of the Rhine. “Less than a year after the contract was signed, the German Armed Forces are gaining direct access to a dedicated SAR reconnaissance capability. The successful start of production in Neuss demonstrates that we not only provide innovative space technology, but can also scale it up industrially in Germany,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall. Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, adds: “Every SPOCK 1 satellite carries the lessons of years of ICEYE operating the world’s largest SAR constellation for government customers. That track record combined with Rheinmetall’s industrial scale is why Germany could move from contract to capability this fast. Our job now is to hold that pace as the system grows.” Developing production capacities in Germany strengthens Europe’s technological and industrial base for space-based reconnaissance. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions combines existing technological capabilities with industrial manufacturing in Germany. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]