MBDA’s AKERON LP anti-tank missile has been selected to equip the Eurodrone Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

The French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) procurement agency made the announcement on October 6, saying that the Missile Haut de Trame (MHT), as the AKERON LP was previously known in France, will complement the GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bombs as the Eurodrone’s weapons package.

According to DGA’s announcement, the selection of the AKERON for the Eurodrone comes weeks after the air-to-surface missile was chosen to equip the Airbus Tiger Mk III attack helicopter in June.

More details regarding the 5th generation AKERON tactical missile family can be found here.

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As far as the Eurodrone (European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – MALE RPAS) is concerned, it is expected to be completed in 2025. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Czech Republic participate in the development program of this UAV, which is implemented within the framework of PESCO under German coordination and involves major companies such as Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo.

Airbus states that the Eurodrone is the first UAV to operate in non-segregated airspace. The program aims to make Europe dominant in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and to strengthen security and defence relations between EU members.

AKERON LP technical specifications: 

• Wingspan: 26 meters
• Length: 16 meters
• Height: 6 meters
• Maximum take-off weight: 11 tons
• Cruise speed: 500 km/h 
• Endurance: 18-40 hours
• Service ceiling: 13,700 meters
• Payload capacity: 2,300 kg

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