MBDA will equip the European attack drone Eurodrone with Akeron LP missiles with a launch range of 20 km
The General Directorate of Armaments of the French Ministry of Defense announced that the company MBDA will be a supplier of missiles for the European unmanned aerial vehicle Eurodrone.
Here's What We Know
According to the agency, MBDA will equip the prospective drone with Akeron LP missiles, formerly known as Missile Haut de Trame. Although we are only learning about it now, the decision was made back in the summer when the Akeron LP was selected to arm the Airbus Tiker Mk III attack helicopter.
L'intégration du missile MHT aux #Eurodrone français a été confirmée par l'OCCAr auprès d'@Airbus. Le missile MHT est développé par @byMBDA (appellation AKERON LP), dans le cadre du program MAST-F.#NotreDéfense
- Direction générale de l'armement (@DGA) October 6, 2022
????MBDA pic.twitter.com/Vi9MAuFntm
MBDA states that the Akeron LP is a fifth-generation missile with a launch range of up to 20 km. The Akeron family also includes the Akeron MP anti-tank missile, formerly called the Missile Moyenne Portee.
To conclude a few words about the Eurodrone itself. This is a promising European drone that Airbus, Leonardo and Dassault Aviation are working on developing. The former has already received a contract worth more than €7 billion to produce 21 UAVs. It is being built for the armed forces of Germany, France, Italy and Spain in the amount of 21, 12, 15 and 12 units, respectively. The first flight is scheduled for 2027.
Airbus demonstrated the Eurodrone concept at Berlin Air Show ILA 2022 in summer 2022. The drone will be able to reach speeds of 500 km/h and climb to an altitude of 13.7 km. Maximum flight time will be 40 hours. It is expected that Eurodrone will be able to carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, as well as bombs GBU-49 and GBU-12 Paveway II in addition to Akeron LP. Maximum weight of warhead will be 2300 kg.
Source: DGA
