The missile that can change its mind mid-flight

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Modern warfare demands more than just hitting a target. The Akeron MP, a fifth-generation French missile system, allows operators to redirect its flight path toward unexpected threats after launch. This capability, paired with advanced sensors, transforms a simple projectile into a highly intelligent, programmable tool for precision strikes.

Developed by MBDA France, the Akeron MP (formerly MMP) was designed to succeed the decades-old MILAN system. Unlike its predecessors, which were often limited by line-of-sight requirements, the Akeron MP utilizes a dual-band seeker—incorporating both infrared and visible low-light video—to engage both 'hot' and 'cold' targets. This allows the system to strike non-IR-emissive targets and operate effectively in all visibility conditions.

The system's intelligence lies in its guidance modes. It features 'lock-on before launch' for visible targets and 'lock-on after launch' (LOAL) for targets obscured from view. Crucially, the presence of a fiber optic data link enables 'man-in-the-loop' control. This means an operator can see what the missile sees and even abort a mission mid-flight if a civilian suddenly enters the target area, significantly reducing the risk of collateral damage.

Beyond precision, the Akeron MP is a versatile powerhouse. Its 115 mm multipurpose warhead, designed by Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland, can penetrate over 1,000 mm of homogeneous armour or breach two metres of reinforced concrete. It also features an anti-personnel mode that sprays 1,500 tungsten splinters. While initially man-portable, the system is being integrated into various platforms, including the French EBRC Jaguar and potentially unmanned ground vehicles, with delivery targets for the French Army having risen to approximately 3,000 missiles.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The French missile designed to outsmart flares and decoys
• The modular bomb that turns standard explosives into smart missiles
• The missile that can see around corners and strike from shadows
• From simple rockets to hypersonic hunters: the evolution of air-to-air combat technology
• How anti-tank missiles evolved from manual steering to autonomous fire-and-forget precision
• The French 'Transitional Tank' that tried to outgrow its own obsolescence
• The 'Door-Knocking Cannon': A weapon that outlived its own relevance
• The evolution of an armored workhorse from export hope to battlefield staple
• A dark, unflinching tale of revenge and the futility of vengeance
• The Soviet airborne vehicle designed to drop from the sky
• The BMD-4: A lightweight airborne fighter with heavy-tank firepower
• From shipboard clerks to wartime intelligence: the evolving role of the Navy Yeoman

More in Tanks & armoured vehicles · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics