Rheinmetall begins providing components for covert bomber aircrafts - Rheinmetall to Undertake Role as Stealth Bomber Manufacturer
Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defense company, is making significant strides in the aerospace sector, particularly with its involvement in the production of the F-35 stealth bomber and collaborations on autonomous drone systems and hypersonic spaceplanes.
In a major milestone, Rheinmetall has completed construction of a €200 million factory for a central component of the F-35 stealth bomber. The company has a framework contract for 400 F-35 fuselage center sections to be produced over a period of 17 to 20 years. The first fuselage center section is scheduled to be delivered in the fall of 2026, with production set to begin in Rheinmetall's factory in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia, within a few days.
Around 200 people currently work at the Rheinmetall factory in Weeze, with the number expected to rise to over 400 by the fall of 2026. In normal operation, 30 fuselage center sections will be produced annually in Weeze, with potential for additional shifts to increase production.
Collaboration with US defense companies, notably Northrop Grumman and F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, is a key step in Rheinmetall's expansion into the aviation sector. North Rhine-Westphalia Minister President Hendrik Wüst attended the completion ceremony as a guest, stating that the transatlantic partnership is not always easy, but the cooperation between Rheinmetall and US defense companies is a proof that the transatlantic connection works and remains close and trusting.
Beyond the F-35, Rheinmetall is actively expanding its portfolio with significant projects in drones, satellites, and aviation. A strategic partnership with Anduril Industries aims to integrate Anduril’s low-cost, intelligent air vehicles into Rheinmetall’s digital sovereignty framework, called “Battlesuite.” The focus is on rapid, wide deployment and adaptability for NATO missions.
Rheinmetall is also involved in the development of a hypersonic spaceplane in partnership with German companies POLARIS and Diehl. This vehicle, when fitted with an expendable upper stage, will function as a small-satellite launcher, highlighting Rheinmetall's footprint in satellite deployment capabilities.
While the search results do not explicitly mention Rheinmetall’s direct involvement in F-35 production, their advancements in autonomous air vehicles and hypersonic platforms indicate an expanding aerospace portfolio that likely supports next-generation combat aircraft ecosystems. Rheinmetall's integration of autonomous systems and propulsion capabilities into European defense frameworks complements the high-tech aviation environment surrounding platforms like the F-35, potentially including supply chain or subsystem contributions tied to advanced aeronautics and electronic systems.
Rheinmetall CEO Papperger expressed confidence that Germany will place follow-up orders for the F-35 stealth bomber, further solidifying the company's position in the aerospace industry. As production ramps up, Rheinmetall continues to position itself as a key player in the development and production of advanced military technology.
- The newly constructed €200 million factory by Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defense company, is primarily intended for producing central components of the F-35 stealth bomber, a collaboration with US defense companies Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, reflecting Rheinmetall's expansion into the aviation sector.
- Beyond the production of F-35 fuselage center sections, Rheinmetall is also actively engaged in strategic partnerships, such as the one with Anduril Industries, aiming to integrate advanced autonomous drone systems into their digital sovereignty framework for potential use in NATO missions, further broadening the company's aerospace portfolio.
