Germany validated a new drone‑warhead strike package in a recent live-fire test, pairing the Virtus platform with the LION STRIKE 110 warhead.
Conducted at Schrobenhausen, the trial demonstrated that the warhead, its fuze, and the Virtus drone delivery system can operate as a single package rather than as loosely coupled components
Developers TDW and STARK said the integrated approach is designed to shorten deployment timelines, simplify logistics, and allow the warhead to be adapted more easily across future drone or missile platforms.
According to STARK co-founder Dr. André Schneider, the system is intended to deliver scalable strike capability for NATO forces, with a focus on defeating heavily armored targets.
“We are providing NATO and Ukraine with a weapons system that can penetrate even the strongest armor and is available in large numbers,” he stated, as quoted by Defence Network.
The test supports Germany’s broader push to field loitering munitions by the end of 2026, with plans for thousands of integrated systems to be operational by 2027.
High-Speed Targeting
The Virtus vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone can cruise at 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour and dive toward targets at speeds of up to 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour.
With a payload capacity of up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds), the platform is built for on-demand strikes against both stationary and moving targets.
The LION STRIKE warhead, meanwhile, introduces advanced capabilities to enhance effectiveness against modern main battle tanks and armored vehicles.
Its modular design allows rapid adaptation across multiple unmanned platforms, including aerial, terrestrial, and maritime systems.
Each warhead combines a shaped charge with an integrated electronic safety and firing unit, ensuring precise detonation.
Together, the drone-warhead pairing reflects a growing focus on integrated, scalable strike systems built for modern, high-tempo battlefields.
