The Hero family of loitering munition systems is manufactured by UVision Air (UVision) in partnership with Rheinmetall’s Italian subsidiary RWM Italia.
The Hero series comprises weapon systems designed to offer precision-strike capabilities in the modern battlefield. The ammunition systems can be used for both tactical and strategic missions.
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The Hero systems are offered in different configurations, depending on the customer requirements, to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles and conduct precision attacks on targets.
In August 2026, the initial Lot Acceptance Tests (LAT) for the Hero-120 system were completed in support of the US Army’s Lethal Unmanned System (LUS) programme, under the Capability Portfolio Executive (CPE) for Mission Autonomy and the Precision Strike Reconnaissance System (PSRS). The programme enables soldiers to train, develop proficiency, and prepare themselves to employ a precision strike capability suited to the requirements of the modern battlefield.
During the tests, the HERO 120 systems met every acceptance-test requirement and completed all mandated mission profiles.
Development and testing of the Hero loitering systems
UVision signed a partnership agreement with Rheinmetall to provide end-to-end loitering munitions solutions to the European market in October 2021.
Rheinmetall assumed the role of the industrial, technological and commercial lead for the weapon system while UVision agreed to provide the Hero loitering munitions.
The agreement also covers the integration of the Hero weapon systems into Rheinmetall’s crewed and uncrewed vehicle platforms, battle management systems, launchers, and armoured vehicles.
UVision and Mistral, UVision’s business development partner, under the purview of the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), completed the testing of the Hero-120SF miniature loitering aerial munition (MLAM) in November 2021. The testing marks the completion of trials and enables the operational implementation and potential use of the system by the US Special Operations Forces.
In June 2022, Rheinmetall unveiled the Mission Master XT Fire Support module at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, France. The new module is equipped with the Hero-120 loitering munition system.
The high-altitude mission execution of the Hero-120 was conducted at a launch altitude of 14,500ft in June 2023. The system was launched from a Bell 412EP airborne helicopter in the same month.
In August 2023, a series of flight tests were conducted on Hero-120 to demonstrate the system’s arctic warfare capabilities in the Arctic region under extreme winter environmental conditions.
The Hero-90 munition system was launched in October 2023.
The company unveiled an autonomous multi-launch system with AI-driven automatic target recognition and mission management capabilities for launching Hero 120 munitions in October 2024.
In February 2025, UVision entered a technological collaboration with Omnisys to integrate the latter’s BRO [battle resource optimisation] mission planning and optimisation capabilities into the Hero family of loitering munitions. The BRO technology offers mission planning, management and debriefing for varied operational missions.
Linking Omnisys’ system with the Hero loitering munitions improves end-to-end mission outcomes. It increases accuracy by limiting the scope for operator error, raises the likelihood of successful engagements through more efficient target handling, and enhances force protection by supporting stand-off mission control. The integrated capability also eases operators’ mental workload, enabling greater focus on command-level decision-making and helping to drive higher levels of combat effectiveness and operational output.
UVision, in partnership with Fulcrum Concepts and Mistral, conducted an advanced aerial launch capability of Hero-120 munition from a wide range of utility and attack helicopters at the Paris Air Show held in June 2025.
The launch capability enables helicopters to field the Hero-120 without extensive integration with the aircraft’s avionics or weapons control architecture. This modular design supports quicker integration and operational rollout while cutting both costs and installation timelines, making it compatible with a broad range of in-service rotorcraft and prospective vertical-lift initiatives, including programmes sponsored by the US Government.
In January 2026, Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier selected the Hero-90 munition to take part in the US Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) programme, aimed at delivering dismounted troops with a lightweight, man-portable precision loitering munition, enabling swift and highly effective attacks against armoured targets.
Design and features of the Hero loitering systems
The Hero family of weapon systems combine ISR and strike capabilities to enable operating forces to locate, track and engage time-sensitive low signature enemy targets. The cruciform configuration enables increased manoeuvrability and pinpoint strike capability against moving or stationary targets. The design features four fixed-planar wings and four tail fins.
The system can be launched from land vehicles, naval or aerial platforms. It can launch attacks against infantry targets, moving light-duty vehicles, tanks, air defence systems, fortified enemy positions, and high-value assets.
The munition loiters above the operational area to locate and track the enemy. It can be deployed to search potential targets to help determine the high-value ones and launch a precision strike with the right timing, direction, and angle of attack.
The Hero series provides an operational range of between 5km short-range tactical strikes and 250km long-range strategic operations.
It allows transfer of control between military echelons and can be operated by the individual soldier and the central command.
The Hero sensor-to-shooter system can operate day and night and in global positioning system (GPS)-denied environments. Encrypted beyond-line-of-sight communications (BLOS) offer operational advantage and enable top-attack performance.
Payloads of the Hero loitering systems
The Hero loitering system can be equipped with a stabilised electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) seeker payload comprising day and night (thermal) cameras with a three-axis gimbal.
The EO sensors enable the location, tracking and verification of targets to launch precise attacks.
Navigation capabilities
The man-in-the-loop mode provided by the line-of-sight two-way data link enables high-precision strike capabilities as the operator can make course corrections. It also provides a safety layer to prevent collateral damage, as the decision to abort the strike rests with the operator.
The Hero system provides real-time intelligence and transmission of the target image and the surrounding area through a data link terminal.
Details of Hero’s launch and recovery systems
The loitering munition can be launched from single or multi-canister launchers or rails. The multi-tube canister launcher enables the launch of multiple munitions in quick succession.
Hero’s pneumatic launch system with low thermal and acoustic signature enables silent operations.
The mission abort capability allows the system to abort an attack in mid-air. The system automatically re-enters the loitering mode to engage another target or returns to the recovery area using a parachute.
Milrem Robotics’ Type-X robotic combat vehicle (RCV) with a multi-canister launcher can also be equipped with the Hero-120 and the Hero-400EC systems.
Variants of the Hero family
The Hero-30 system weighs 3kg and can be operated as a man-packed or vehicle-mounted system. It is easy to operate and enables frontline troops to start operations and launch an attack against targets. Ideal for anti-personnel missions, it can carry a warhead of 0.5kg and provides an endurance of 30 minutes.
The Hero-120 system is designed as a mid-range smart loitering munition system that can launch strikes against anti-armour and anti-personnel targets, including tanks, vehicles, concrete fortifications, and soft targets in dense urban environments. The loitering system weighs 12kg and carries a warhead of 4.5kg. It has an endurance of 60 minutes and offers a range of 40km.
The Hero-400EC is a 40kg long-range loitering munition system, which provides high-precision strikes with a low acoustic, visual and thermal signature. It features a new electric motor that enables high-speed transit and low-speed loitering. The system provides a range of 60km and endures an extended flight time of two hours. The 10kg multi-purpose warhead provides concrete piercing and anti-tank capabilities.
The Hero-900 munition system weighs 90kg and can be fitted with a 25kg warhead. It has a range of 150km and an endurance of six hours.
Hero-1250 weighs 125kg and provides long-range flight capabilities of 200km with an endurance of ten hours. It is armed with a 50kg warhead.
Hero-30, Hero-120 and Hero-400EC are powered by an electric motor, while the Hero-900 and Hero-1250 versions are powered by a gasoline-fuelled propulsion system.
The Hero family also includes the Hero-90, a highly portable loitering munition system and Hero-120SF variants.
The warhead carried by the Hero series is activated by a tri-mode fuse with proximity, point detonation and delay modes.
Hero loitering munitions orders and deliveries
Rheinmetall and UVision received the first order to supply the Hero loitering munitions to an undisclosed European Nato military force in July 2022. The order involves delivery of the Hero-30 combat and training munitions, simulator, training, and associated logistics equipment and support.
UVision received a contract to supply its Hero-120 loitering weapon system for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) organic precision fires-mounted (OPF-M) system requirement in June 2021. The contract was awarded through Mistral. The Hero-120 systems will be integrated into the USMC’s light armoured vehicle-mortar (LAV-M), long-range uncrewed surface vessel (LRUSV), and joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV).
Hungary placed an order for Hero loitering munitions in July 2023. A European country placed an order for Hero-120 in September of the same year.
In June 2024, a $73.5m contract was signed by UVision and Mistral with the US Special Operations Command for Hero-120SF munitions.
The US Army awarded a $982m multi-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to procure Hero-120 for the LUS programme in October 2025.
