France's Milestone: Successful Test Firing of the AKERON LP Missile in the MAST-F Programme

In a significant advancement for France's military capabilities, the first successful test firing of the AKERON LP missile, developed under the MAST-F (Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile) programme, was conducted at the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) Missile Test Centre. This event marks a pivotal step in enhancing the French armed forces' precision strike potential.

Test Details and Objectives

The trial involved launching a prototype missile equipped with a telemetry system from a crane-based launcher over the sea. This setup enabled engineers to gather comprehensive data on the missile's performance, focusing on several critical aspects:

• Trajectory Validation: Ensuring the missile follows the expected flight path.
• Launch Tube Design Assessment: Confirming safe separation from future platforms.
• Aerodynamic Stability and Guidance: Evaluating the missile's behavior and control mechanisms in real-world conditions.
• Propulsion System Performance: Testing both the booster’s thrust for initial acceleration and the main propulsion system to achieve an operational range of up to eight kilometers when launched from the ground.
• Wing and Fin Deployment Mechanisms: Validating the proper functioning of these components to ensure stability and control during flight.

The successful completion of these objectives indicates that all safety measures functioned as intended, paving the way for further development and testing.

About the AKERON LP Missile

The AKERON LP is a fifth-generation, long-range, multi-role guided missile developed by MBDA. It is designed to provide maximum flexibility to demanding forces, capable of neutralizing various targets, including main battle tanks, infrastructures, combat groups, and small boats, with high precision and limited collateral damage.

Key Specifications:

• Weight: Approximately 35 kg.
• Length: 1.8 meters in the tactical canister.
• Range: Over 8 km from helicopters and nearly 20 km from Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
• Warhead: Multipurpose with selectable modes, including anti-armor, anti-infrastructure, anti-ship, anti-helicopter, and anti-personnel effects.
• Guidance System: Features a multi-mode seeker with Semi-Active Laser (SAL), Television (TV), and uncooled Infrared (IR) capabilities.
• Operational Modes: Offers Lock-On-Before-Launch (LOBL) and Lock-On-After-Launch (LOAL) options, providing flexibility in various combat scenarios.
• Data Link: Equipped with a bidirectional Radio Frequency (RF) data link, allowing for total platform freedom of maneuver before and during the missile mission.

MAST-F Programme and Future Prospects

The MAST-F programme aims to develop a new generation of air-to-ground missiles for platforms like the Tiger helicopter and MALE RPAS UAVs. This initiative addresses the challenges of future warfare by offering high-precision striking capabilities with increased range. The successful test of the AKERON LP missile signifies a major achievement for the programme, highlighting the effective collaboration between key stakeholders, including MBDA, its subcontractors, the DGA, and OCCAR.

As development progresses, the AKERON LP missile is poised to become a cornerstone of France's advanced military arsenal, enhancing the operational capabilities of its armed forces in various combat scenarios.