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In a significant move, German conglomerate Rheinmetall has taken over the operational site of the insolvent Leichtwerk AG in Brunswick. The focus of Rheinmetall's operations at this site is on the development and testing of unmanned flight systems, particularly the next-generation Luna NG drone.

The Luna NG drone, an air-supported unmanned close reconnaissance equipment, is part of the Bundeswehr program "Husar." This program, related to a family of tactical drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance, aims to enhance intelligence capabilities.

Rheinmetall has also taken over the production and testing of the Luna NG drone from the insolvent manufacturer EMT in Penzberg, Bavaria. The company has ordered 13 complete systems for the Bundeswehr, including five reconnaissance drones, two ground control stations, two launch vehicles, two antenna masts, a workshop equipment, and three transport platforms, at a total cost of 200 million euros.

The Brunswick site, which has direct access to the research airport, is now used for the production and testing of these unmanned flight systems. Test flights are not currently planned, but they are not ruled out for the future.

Further details on the collaboration and the special know-how of the new employees from Brunswick can be found at www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de.

The insolvent Leichtwerk AG is to continue as a civilian engineering service provider. The operational site of the insolvent Leichtwerk AG has been integrated into the subsidiary Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH.

The Brunswick site's expansion is expected to open up a gateway to possible new developments in drone and flight technology. However, specific insights regarding Brunswick’s drone technology activities, especially the Bundeswehr's Husar program and the Luna NG drone, would typically require official statements from the Bundeswehr, defense research agencies, or the managing authority of Brunswick’s research airport.

For the latest updates and official announcements, it is advisable to reach out to these relevant German defense and aviation authorities.