MBDA, the European giant in the field of missile systems, has issued an announcement on the trials of the AKERON MP anti-tank missile system held within the framework of the European Defence Industrial Development Program (EDIDP) LynkEUs in Cyprus on September 28-29. The project’s subcontractors are Delair, Carmenta and Milrem Robotics, the manufacturing company of Themis unmanned vehicle.

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The European project LynkEUs is implemented by a consortium consisting of the companies MBDA (project coordinator), THALES, Novadem, SAFRAN, FN Herstal, JCD, RMA (ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY – KONINKLIJKE MILITAIRE SCHOOL), Xenics and the Cypriot companies SignalGenerix, Additess and the Cyprus Institute. 

In its announcement, MBDA says that the AKERON MP (formerly MMP) missile system was used for the shots fired for the first time using the full configuration of the system under development with BLOS capabilities (Beyond Line of Sight).

On September 28, at a National Guard camp in Kornos, modern systems such as sensors, navigation systems, 3D modeling, landing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and cyber protection were showcased through static demonstrations by the participating partners. 

The LynkEUs consortium also performed dynamic demonstrations with different UAVs, including a micro-UAV, and demonstrations with different unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with observation-designation systems mounted on either gimbal sensors or medium turrets. 

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The two (2) firings of AKERON MP missiles at the Kalo Chorio Shooting Range were carried out on September 29 by a French Arquus SHERPA LIGHT TACTICAL vehicle featuring an IMPACT turret. 

Firing MBDA’s AKERON (formerly MMP) based anti-tank missile

Importantly, the targets were designated through a micro-UAV, the NX-70, equipped with new-generation infrared sensors manufactured in Europe and through a cyber-secure link.

The success of these demonstrations and firings is the first step in the development of BLOS capabilities at the European level, which is critical in the modern geostrategic context. Finally, it is reported that the substantial contribution of AKERON MP has been proven, while the LynkEUs project confirms MBDA’s ability to implement complex projects and gather skills and know-how from across Europe.

Also read: LynkEUs | BLOS anti-tank system tested in Cyprus – Strong participation in European programs by Cypriot companies