The MBDA has introduced a new 5th generation tactical missile family, called the AKERON.

The AKERON family of missiles essentially includes the MMP and MHT anti-tank missiles (an airborne version of the MMP fired from a TIGER helicopter), which have now – in a new commercial campaign – been renamed AKERON MP and AKERON LP respectively. It is noted that the MMP is also the basis of MBDA’s proposal, which was selected in the LynkEUs program of the European Defence Industrial Development Program (EDIDP), concerning the BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) battlefield engagement capability.

Also read: Landmark delivery of 1000 MMP missiles to the French Armed Forces and the relationship with Cyprus

According to the company, AKERON incorporates the latest technologies in terms of high-resolution multi-band imagers, multi-effect warheads (anti-tank, anti-infrastructure, anti-personnel), data links, and multi-mode guidance algorithms based on AI techniques. 

The AKERON system can respond to current and future operational realities, where combat units will operate in even more complex environments day and night with their survivability becoming even more difficult.

A special feature of this weapon system is the fact that the operators have a range of tactical options to engage their targets with, thanks to the BLOS function and the capability to switch modes during the flight, including:

• Fire and forget
• Human-in-the-loop
• Locking on before launch (LOBL) / Locking on after launch (LOAL) 

Furthermore, the AKERON family of tactical missiles can be fired from land, air (helicopters, UAVs), and naval platforms being fully capable of network-centric operations.

AKERON technical characteristics:

• Multimode seeker: SAL / TV / uncooled IR
• Operational range: +8 km up to 20km
• Warhead: Multipurpose with selectable mode
• Data link: Bidirectional RF
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to optimize the trajectory (Flat, Lofted, Highly Diving) in accordance with the type of target, the weather conditions, and the operational environment
• Network-centric operations
• Missile launcher: Twin or Quad configuration with intuitive man-machine interface
• Quad Launcher weight: 200kg (with ammunition)
• Twin Launcher weight: 120kg (with ammunition)

Also read: MBDA | Network-Centric-oriented Philosophy in EXOCET, MISTRAL, MMP – Partnership with Cypriot Companies in the Background