Following consultation with EU member-states, the European Commission has selected the MARSEUS (Modular Architecture Solutions for the EU States) project, which is coordinated by MBDA.

The MARSEUS project consolidates, improves, and expands ground operations using weapon systems with beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) engagement capabilities.

In the framework of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), on November 19, 2018, the EU Defence Ministers approved the EU BLOS program to develop a family of man-on-the-loop (MOLT) BLOS missile systems, where the munition can engage targets and attack under the supervision of a human operator who can override their actions. At the same time, these munitions should be capable of sending a real-time image back to the operator for better control.

MBDA is pleased to count its MARSEUS (Modular Architecture Solutions for EU States) project among the first projects selected by the @EU_Commission, as part of the #EuropeanDefenceFund. https://t.co/BnwwqjqzEG

— MBDA (@byMBDA) July 21, 2022

The selection of MARSEUS is the second step in the technological and industrial implementation of this capability development project. The first step was the EDIDP LynkEUs project, which the Commission awarded to a consortium in 2020, coordinated by MBDA, and is already producing substantial results for the 3 nations that signed the Letter of Intent (France, Belgium, and Cyprus) and another major step is expected to be taken by the end of this year. 

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The program in question (MARSEUS) is a close partnership of the Armed Forces of France, Belgium, Cyprus, and Sweden and uses an Effects Management approach to build on the LynKEUs project with the aim of consolidating a European operational concept based on the BLOS capabilities of close and collaborative combat missiles. 

Furthermore, the project will also provide an opportunity to identify and test new emerging technological solutions that could contribute to the future development of these weapon system architectures and it will be rounded off with examples of application on various platforms. The project management team includes 22 partners and subcontractors from 11 EU countries.

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MARSEUS concepts, integration, and testing will rely on the entirely European-controlled AKERON MP and LP family of missile systems to ensure the autonomy of use, security of supply, and scalability. Growing geo-strategic instability is making it even more important for the European States to develop and control these ground combat capabilities independently.

MBDA and its thirteen partners from Belgium (Ecole Royale Militaire, John Cockerill Defense, FN Herstal, and Xenics), Cyprus (Additess and SignalGenerix), France (Novadem, ATOS, ARQUUS, and DELAIR), and Sweden (SAAB, BAE Hägglunds, and Exen), as well as their eight subcontractors from eight countries, are now entering a phase of negotiation of the grant agreement with the European Commission.

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