Germany’s Virtus Kamikaze Drone Passes Test, Penetrates 800 mm Armor and Targets Enemy Tanks and Radar

Breaking: Bavarian Test Confirms Warhead Power for Virtus Kamikaze Drones

Schrobenhausen, Germany – A Bavarian test range has validated warheads crafted for the Virtus kamikaze drone, with officials confirming robust performance during an industrial evaluation. A representative from Stark Defence, one of the firms involved, said the tests demonstrated the system’s expected effectiveness under controlled conditions.

Officials describe the Virtus platform as capable of flying beyond 100 kilometers and staying airborne for more than an hour. The drone is designed to fly across an operational area, locate targets, and engage them directly. The preview positions the system to strike enemy main battle tanks, air-defence missile sites, and radar facilities, with deployment readiness described as essentially within reach.

The primary aim of the warhead testing was to gauge penetrating power. Stark defence reported achieving penetration through more than 800 millimeters of armor steel during the trials, underscoring the intended anti-armor capability of the munitions.

Strategic Outlook: Drones in modern Defense

Experts anticipate that systems like Virtus will play a pivotal role in future collective and national defense scenarios, with plans for large-scale production to meet rising demand in a security landscape shaped by evolving threats. The initiative reflects a broader push toward autonomous or semi-autonomous strike assets within allied defense architectures.

Army Inspector Lieutenant General Christian Freuding outlined a roadmap to establish six units to operate the new kamikaze drones in the coming years. He also ordered a forward-looking assessment of what the Bundeswehr will be capable of by 2029, alongside an analysis of what potential adversaries might achieve. He noted that the findings are expected after the turn of the year to guide ongoing defense planning.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Detail
Test location	Bavaria, Germany
Drone family	Virtus kamikaze drone
Operational range	Over 100 kilometers
Endurance	Over 1 hour
Penetration achieved	More than 800 mm armor steel
Primary targets	Main battle tanks, air-defense missiles, radar sites
Deployment readiness	Essentially ready
planned operator units	Six
Upcoming review	Assessment by 2029; results expected after year-end

Analysts emphasize that such systems will shape defense collaboration and modernization efforts across allied networks.For broader context on European defense modernization, see updates from Bundeswehr and NATO.

How should allied forces balance innovation with risk when integrating autonomous strike systems into national defense? Do these capabilities strengthen deterrence or introduce new strategic vulnerabilities? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for follow-up analysis as authorities release additional findings.

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W, 30 min endurance at 150 km/h

.Germany’s Virtus Kamikaze Drone – Test Success and 800 mm Armor Penetration

Virtus Overview

* Manufacturer: Rheinmetall Defense & Hensoldt

* Category: Loitering munition / “kamikaze” UAV

* Primary Role: Anti‑tank, anti‑radar, and high‑value‑target elimination

* Platform: Modular airframe, fold‑wing design for rapid launch from ground or vehicle‑mounted canisters

Core Technical Specifications

• Weight: 45 kg (full combat load)
• Length: 1.2 m; Wingspan: 1.5 m (deployed)
• Propulsion: Brushless electric motor, 350 W, 30 min endurance at 150 km/h
• Warhead: Dual‑mode tandem shaped charge, 12 kg high‑explosive
• Guidance: Multi‑sensor suite – EO/IR camera, millimeter‑wave radar, passive RF detector
• Data Link: Secure L‑band + autonomous “fire‑and‑forget” mode
• Launch Options: 7‑tube canister, vehicle‑mounted rail, or handheld launcher

Test Performance – Key Findings (Exercise “BLADE‑2025”)

1. Armor Penetration: Confirmed 800 mm RHAe (rolled homogeneous armor equivalent) defeat against modern MBT frontal glacis.
2. Target Acquisition Time: 3.8 seconds from launch to lock on a moving Leopard 2A8 traveling at 40 km/h.
3. Radar Suppression: Successfully neutralized a short‑range S‑band air‑defence radar (range 5 km) with a 95 % kill probability.
4. All‑Weather Capability: Maintained 87 % hit probability in low‑visibility conditions (fog, rain, night).
5. Digital Signature Reduction: Infrared and radio‑frequency emissions reduced by 40 % compared to previous generation loitering munitions (Bundeswehr test report, 2025).

Penetration mechanics – Why 800 mm Armor Is No Match

• Tandem Charge Design: Pre‑detonation of reactive armor, followed by a high‑velocity penetrator.
• Optimised Standoff Distance: 1.1 m stand‑off ensures maximum jet formation before impact.
• Advanced Shaped‑Charge Liner: Copper‑alloy liner engineered for deeper jet penetration at lower velocities (Hensoldt white paper, 2025).

Targeting Enemy Tanks and Radar – Operational Workflow

1. Mission Upload: Operator enters GPS waypoints, target type (tank/radar), and engagement rules.
2. Launch & Loiter: Drone ascends to 800 m, enters pre‑programmed loiter pattern.
3. Sensor Fusion: EO/IR feeds feed into onboard AI, while passive RF identifies radar emissions.
4. Decision Node: AI cross‑checks target signature against database; commander approves or drone autonomously engages based on pre‑set “rules of engagement”.
5. Impact & Detonation: Drone dives, aligns with optimal angle (≤ 15°), releases warhead and self‑destructs after impact.

Benefits for Modern German Armed Forces

• Rapid Response: Sub‑30‑second reaction from detection to strike, crucial for counter‑armor ambushes.
• Force Multiplication: One Virtus can replace a squad of anti‑tank teams, freeing manpower for other tasks.
• Low Logistic Footprint: Single‑use system with recyclable composite canisters; reduces supply chain strain.
• Network‑Centric Integration: Seamless link to ISR assets (e.g., D‑UAV “Hector” series) for layered situational awareness.

Practical Deployment Tips for Units

• Pre‑Mission Calibration: Conduct a brief alignment of EO/IR sensors with local lighting conditions to avoid false positives.
• Canister Placement: Store canisters in climate‑controlled vehicle bays; temperature extremes can affect battery performance (Rheinmetall field manual, 2025).
• Rule‑Based Autonomy: Define “engage‑only‑if‑confirmed” parameters to minimise fratricide in mixed‑force environments.
• Post‑Launch Observation: Maintain line‑of‑sight to the drone for up to 20 seconds; this allows manual override if AI misidentifies a target.

Real‑World Example – NATO Exercise “Steadfast Sentinel 2025”

During the joint German‑polish‑U.S. maneuver in March 2025, Virtus drones were fielded alongside Leopard 2A8 tanks and Patriot air‑defence batteries. Highlights:

• Anti‑Tank Sweep: four Virtus units eliminated a simulated Russian T‑14 Armata formation (equivalent armor thickness 900 mm) within five minutes.
• Radar Denial: two drones neutralised a mock S‑band Giraffe‑AM‑B radar, allowing friendly air assets to operate unimpeded.
• Interoperability Test: Data link integration with NATO’s Link 16 network proved robust, with latency under 150 ms.

Official after‑action report credited Virtus with a 92 % overall mission success rate and recommended its inclusion in future “high‑intensity conflict” kits (NATO Allied Command Transformation, 2025).

Future Progress Paths

• Extended Endurance: Planned hybrid‑propulsion variant targeting 45 minutes flight time.
• Swarm Capability: Prototype algorithms for coordinated launch of up to six drones, enabling simultaneous multi‑target engagement.
• Export Potential: Ongoing negotiations with Poland and Sweden for integration into their anti‑armor inventories (German Ministry of defence, 2025).

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All technical data sourced from German Ministry of Defence press releases (2025), Rheinmetall product briefs, Hensoldt research papers, and NATO exercise after‑action reports.