At ILA Berlin 2026, Rheinmetall, ERC System and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia have entered into a strategic partnership. The aim is to lay the groundwork for the production of the heavy-lift cargo drone Victor U250 in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The partners plan to jointly advance the market launch of the Victor U250 by building up local production and supply chains. If successfully implemented, relevant high technologies will be secured in North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany over the long term. In this context, a three-digit number of jobs is to be created by 2029.

The uncrewed, hybrid-electric heavy-lift cargo drone Victor U250 is distinguished in particular by a payload of up to 250 kilograms over 300 kilometres, infrastructure-independent vertical take-off combined with fast cruise flight at around 250 km/h, and a modular payload system.

Rheinmetall contributes its capabilities as an approved aviation organisation and as a provider of solutions for uncrewed flight systems. ERC develops so-called vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) in Germany, currently with a predominantly hybrid-electric propulsion system, for critical missions. They are used, among other areas, in military logistics as well as offshore and coastal logistics, disaster response and medical passenger transport.

The State of North Rhine-Westphalia supports the partners in assessing suitable funding options and site options. It also intends to provide coordinated support for the relevant permitting and approval procedures.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall:

"With today's Memorandum of Understanding, we are laying the foundation for the industrialisation of a forward-looking uncrewed flight system in Germany. Ultimately, together with ERC and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, we want to scale the heavy-lift cargo drone Victor U250 both technologically and industrially."

Mona Neubaur, Deputy Minister-President of the State of NRW:

"ILA 2026 shows how North Rhine-Westphalia is shaping the future: with strong research, innovative companies and close European partnerships. We take our responsibility for Europe's sovereignty seriously and make a decisive contribution to the resilience of our state – in NRW, in Europe and in space."

Maximilian Oligschläger, Chief Commercial Officer, ERC:

"The Victor U250 addresses central requirements of current and future logistics and transport tasks for critical missions in defence, disaster response and commercial logistics. The planned collaboration offers the opportunity to bring development, market launch and industrial implementation together consistently in Germany."

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rudolf F. Schwarz, Chairman of the Management Board and Owner, IABG:

"The collaboration combines technological innovation with industrial implementation expertise in order to expand strategic key technologies and strengthen Germany's sovereignty."