Akeron MP test firings demonstrate BLoS engagement capabilities
MBDA and its partners in the LynkEUs project have successfully carried out the first test firings of the Akeron MP antitank missile (formerly known as MMP) using a full configuration of the BLoS functional chain, including the first BLoS firing of the missile from a vehicle.
The firing demonstrations in Cyprus on 28-29 September marked a ‘major step in the definition of an initial operational concept’ for a European BLoS capability, MBDA noted in a 7 October statement.
Two missiles were fired: one from an Impact turret integrated onto an Arquus Sherpa vehicle (to simulate a full standalone capability), and the other engaging a target designated by a micro-UAV via a cyber-secure link 1km from the missile launch vehicle, to simulate a collaborative engagement.
The LynkEUs consortium, comprising MBDA and 13 partners and subcontractors in five countries, was established in July 2020 to create a European BLoS network-enabled battlefield engagement capability for the Akeron MP missile.
LynkEUs is funded under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme.
John Cockerill Defense, FN Herstal, Safran and Milrem are among the other industry participants in the consortium.
MBDA now seeks to explore extended-range and extended-capacity BLoS capabilities by leading a new EU-funded programme called Modular Architecture Solutions for EU States (MARSEUS).
More from Land Warfare
-
New Estonian night vision devices to help against “significantly” larger enemy
Argus is a family of Mil-Spec I2 multipurpose monocular systems that can be operated handheld or head-, helmet- or weapon-mounted.
-
Patria orders Kongsberg Protector’s for common APCs
Patria developed the Patria 6x6 APC, unveiled at the June 2018 Eurosatory exhibition, as a successor to the XA-series Pasi APC and was selected for the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme.
-
Germany orders more Patriot air defence systems
The US Army has acquired more than 1,100 launchers of which it has exported at least 200 launchers, while more than 10,000 Patriot missiles have been produced to date.
-
General Dynamics to upgrade Ukraine-bound Spanish Leopards
The 120mm-armed Leopard 2 MBT was developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the German Army’s 105mm Leopard 1s. Spain's fleet of Leopard 2A4s were originally leased from Germany for five-years but eventually purchased in 2005.