Air

Rheinmetall offers a wide range of state-of-the-art systems for optimised protection against airborne threats as well as for the aviation sector for both, military and civilian applications. 

Rheinmetall is one of the world's foremost makers of advanced air defence systems. The company leads the global market in automatic cannon-based air defence, and is the sole system supplier able to offer fire control technology, automatic cannon, integrated guided missiles and Ahead airburst ammunition – all from a single source. The portfolio includes products such as airborne reconnaissance systems, drone defence for airports, intelligent flight surveillance systems, radar technology with search and detection radars, and aircraft cannons and smart ammunition. For example, the revolver cannon BK27 was developed according to the stringent requirements for NATO air forces for the use in the Tornado aircraft as well as the Eurofighter.

Rheinmetall also offers highly effective active and passive protection solutions. Highly efficient spectrally balanced decoys, array flares and spot flares are being developed to protect carrier aircraft, helicopters, fighters, and jets from modern infrared-guided missiles. Rheinmetall also develops passive system solutions for ballistic protection using state-of-the-art modular composite technologies. 

Furthermore Rheinmetall offers a broad portfolio in the area of simulation and training. Whether full mission simulator or part task trainer – Rheinmetall's flight simulators meet the rapidly growing demands on the performance of aircraft and helicopter crews. The simulators for the Eurofighter (Typhoon) and the Tornado, for example, are just as much a part of the programme as the simulators for the Tiger and NH 90.

Rheinmetall has also proven itself as an innovative partner to the German Air Force by taking over the inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul of the CH-53G fleet. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is involved in the global F-35 armament programme together with its US partners Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin and will contribute to the modernisation of the German Air Force and friendly armed forces through the production of F-35A fuselage centre sections.

Rheinmetall's portfolio also includes aviation and airport ground support equipment (GSE) – such as air start units – as well as complex logistics engineering and technical publication services.


All Rheinmetall subsidiaries operating in these areas are certified as military aeronautical engineering operations.