MBDA conducts successful Akeron LP missile

MBDA has conducted the first successful launch of the Akeron LP air-to-ground missile under the MAST-F (Missile Air-Sol Tactique Futur – Future Tactical Air-Ground Missile) programme that is led by OCCAR, according to a 6th February post on X.com. 

According to OCCAR, “a prototype missile, including a telemetry system to collect large amounts of data, was launched from a crane launcher towards the sea.” The tests helped confirm the thrust of the booster, which provides initial acceleration of the missile, as well as the main rocket motor which provides the Akeron LP with a range of 8 km from the ground. 

The missile was fired from a test rig at the French Firing Center Essais de Missile, which is operated by France’s DGA (Direction générale de l’armement). 

The MAST-F programme is designed to replace the AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles used by France’s Tiger helicopters. Deliveries of the Akeron LP are expected to begin in 2028. The fleet of 40 multi-purpose combat helicopters is to be upgraded to the Tiger Mark III standard as a mid-life upgrade. 

The missile is expected to be capable of defeating main battle tanks and other combat elements with a high degree of precision and limited collateral damage, OCCAR states. 

Tech profile: Akeron LP

The Akeron LP is described as a 5th generation missile by MBDA with a range up to 20 km from air platforms. The company states that it carries AI-enabled image processing and an advanced guidance system allowing the missile to be retargeted in flight. It is armed with a multi-purpose warhead providing “anti-armour, anti-infrastructure, anti-ship, anti-helicopter capability and anti-personnel effects,” according to MBDA. Its seeker has a selectable optical suite that includes infrared, for use at night or in low-light conditions, as well as an optical channel for everything else. This means that the pilot could select the most relevant mode for the conditions, improving the likelihood of a successful engagement.

It can also receive third party target cuing, which would enable forces close to the frontline to designate targets for the missile, without the helicopter necessarily having to use its own sensors. This would help improve survivability of the helicopter as it could exploit the range of the missile rather than potentially coming closer to enemy short-range air defences. 

Calibre comment

Attack helicopters are a valuable tool in defensive operations, however, they are likely to suffer losses when used. This has long been acknowledged for platforms like the AH-64 Apache and has impacted deployment decisions in the past. The loss of Russian Ka-52s in Ukraine should not, therefore, be too surprising – their vulnerability to MANPADS has always been quite well known. However, it is important to understand the impact that these helicopters had in stopping Ukrainian offensives. One source told Calibre that they would frequently appear as soon as an armoured formation was slowed down and its movement restricted. In these scenarios, attack helicopters can cause immense damage to an armoured formation, and missiles like Akeron LP may help improve the survivability of them as they do. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 8th February 2025.