The French defense procurement agency has successfully completed the first long-range firing of its MAST-F, also known as the AKERON LP, an advanced air-to-ground missile. This significant trial took place at the DGA Essais de Missile, a French firing center located in the south of the country, where officials conducted comprehensive tests to evaluate the missile’s performance during a typical trajectory, as well as the safety of its platform separation from the launch tube.
During the testing, a missile prototype equipped with a telemetry system was launched from a crane, enabling the collection of crucial data. The test confirmed the consolidation of the missile’s aerodynamics and guidance capabilities, along with the effectiveness of its booster and main propulsion systems. The dedicated booster serves to provide the missile with an initial thrust, while the main propulsion unit powers the missile for a range of up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) from launch. Essential safety features related to the missile’s wing and fin deployment systems were also validated during this pioneering test.
The MAST-F program, led by prime contractor MBDA, represents a collaborative effort involving the French defense procurement agency and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation as subcontractors. Future deployments of the missile system will see it integrated into the French Army’s Tiger Mk III helicopters, which are anticipated to enter service in 2029.
In contrast to existing third and fourth-generation air-to-ground ordnance, such as the U.S. AGM-114 Hellfire, the MAST-F program promises significant enhancements in terms of range and precision for modern combat scenarios. The missile boasts an effective operational range of 8 kilometers (5 miles) when launched from rotary-wing platforms, with an extended capability of striking targets up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) when deployed from unmanned aerial systems.
To ensure accurate targeting, the missile is fitted with a high-resolution multi-band imager, advanced data links, and multi-mode guidance algorithms. These technologies afford operators various engagement strategies, including fire-and-forget, human-in-the-loop targeting, pre-firing target locking, and post-firing lock-on capabilities for beyond-line-of-sight missions. Furthermore, the MAST-F is designed with multi-effect warheads to meet a diverse array of operational requirements across the battlefield, capable of engaging enemy tanks, infrastructure, and personnel.
