MBDA has used DSEI 2025 to showcase a new concept for a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile designed to be fired from NATO-standard 120mm smoothbore tank guns.
The proposed AKERON MBT 120 would give main battle tanks a fire-and-forget missile capability that extends engagement ranges out to five kilometres. Unlike conventional gun rounds, it carries its own seeker, rocket motor and warhead, intended to provide tanks with the ability to strike beyond line of sight and to reduce reliance on supporting artillery.
The company says the missile is dimensionally identical to existing 120mm rounds, allowing it to be stowed and loaded without modification to current tank designs. The stated aim is to give operators a higher on-board missile loadout without altering vehicle signatures.
The design incorporates a passive seeker, a boost rocket motor with low-smoke propellant, and an armour-defeating warhead. MBDA also points to the use of commercial off-the-shelf components and AI-enabled targeting software as a way to speed development and keep costs down.
The missile is pitched as filling a gap between shoulder- or vehicle-mounted weapons such as AKERON MP and ENFORCER, and heavier overwatch systems like Surface-Launched Brimstone.
Chief executive Eric Beranger said the project reflected lessons drawn from current conflicts and an intent to spiral-develop the capability. “This latest addition to our AKERON family offers our customers a solution for rapid development to an initial capability, spirally developed to enhance the efficiency of their existing platforms in a new way,” he told reporters.
Whether AKERON MBT 120 proceeds beyond concept stage will depend on customer interest. No launch customer has been identified.