Akeron MP
The Akeron MP (Akeron Moyenne Portée), formerly known as MMP (French: Missile Moyenne Portée, lit. 'medium-range missile') is a French fifth generation man-portable anti-tank guided missile system. Featuring both fire-and-forget and command guidance operating modes, it also integrates third party target designation for indirect firing scenarios through its lock-on after launch capability for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) use.
| Akeron MP | |
|---|---|
| Type | Anti-tank guided missile Surface-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2018 – present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2010 – 2015 |
| Manufacturer | MBDA France |
| Produced | 2016 – present |
| No. built | 400 launch units and 3,000 missiles ordered for the French Armed Forces as of November 2023 (total export numbers difficult to assess) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 15 kg (33 lb): round in launch tube 11 kg (24 lb): tripod, firing post and battery |
| Length | 1.3 m (4.3 ft) |
| Diameter | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Warhead | Tandem HEAT |
| Blast yield | Can penetrate 1,000 mm of RHA Can penetrate 2,000 mm of concrete |
| Engine | solid-fuel rocket, two phase thrust (soft launch) |
Operational range | 150 m – 5 km |
Guidance system | infrared homing, television guidance |
Launch platform |
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The Akeron MP entered operational service with the French army in 2018 and was developed by MBDA France to replace the Franco-German MILAN and American FGM-148 Javelin. Designed to primarily equip infantry units, the system incorporates a multi-purpose missile with anti-tank, anti-infrastructure and anti-personnel selectable modes, which has a firing range of up to 5 km. The missile can also be integrated on combat vehicles or naval vessels, and is notably expected to arm French armoured vehicles such as the EBRC Jaguar, Griffon MMP and Serval MMP.
A long-range, air-launched missile of the same family, the Akeron LP (Akeron Longue Portée), is also under development. It is intended to equip the upcoming French Eurocopter Tiger MkIII.