Unveiled in Europe: Long-range 'anti-tank' weapon MARSEUS mounted on a robotic platform
The MARSEUS project, a 36-month initiative funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), has made significant strides in the development of modular missile systems. Coordinated by MBDA France, the project involves a consortium of 2022 companies and organizations from Belgium, France, Sweden, and Cyprus, with a total budget of €27,3 million, €25 million of which comes from the EDF.
One of the key features of the MARSEUS project is the modular architecture, which aims to enhance existing missile systems by integrating them with multiple vehicle types. This includes the evaluation of platforms capable of carrying anti-tank weapons, such as the Arquus Sherpa armored vehicles and Type-X robotic vehicles.
In a groundbreaking development, Estonian company Milrem Robotics has successfully integrated MBDA's Akeron LP long-range ATGM system with its Type-X robotic platform. The Akeron LP ATGM, which weighs between 30 and 40 kg and is 1.8 m long, is equipped with a multi-mode seeker that combines semi-active laser, television, and infrared guidance. It allows for various firing modes, including fire and forget, LOBL (lock-on before launch), and LOAL (lock-on after launch), and even allows the operator to re-target the missile and abort the mission if necessary.
The Type-X platform, a tracked hybrid-electric unmanned system, boasts impressive specifications. It has a base weight of 12.5 tons, a payload capacity of up to 5 tons, and dimensions of 6.2 m in length, 2.9 m in width, and 2.5 m in height. The platform can develop speeds of up to 80 km/h on roads and up to 50 km/h off-road, and can overcome slopes of up to 60°, vertical obstacles up to 1 m high, and fords up to 1.5 m deep.
To enhance its operational capabilities, the Type-X platform is equipped with the RFHunter direction finder, developed by SignalGeneriX. This complex EW system allows the platform to detect, locate, and classify communications signals in real time, enabling it to operate effectively in jammed, GPS-less environments and support target engagement with third-party guidance.
The integration of the Akeron LP ATGM with the Type-X robotic platform significantly extends the platform's range. From ground platforms, the firing range for the Akeron LP missile exceeds 8 km, while from airborne platforms it can reach 20 km. The missile's tandem-charge warhead is capable of penetrating homogeneous armor over 1000 mm thick and reinforced concrete over 2 m thick.
The new system, an unmanned "anti-tank," combines long-range precision strike, electronic protection, and platform survivability, offering a formidable asset for various operational contexts. The MARSEUS project continues to push the boundaries of missile technology, demonstrating the potential for modular architectures to revolutionise the defence landscape.
- The integration of MBDA's Akeron LP long-range ATGM system with Milrem Robotics' Type-X robotic platform showcases the MARSEUS project's goal of enhancing existing missile systems by merging them with various vehicle types.
- The successful integration of the Akeron LP ATGM system on the Type-X robotic platform not only extends the platform's range but also equips it with long-range precision strike capabilities, electronic protection, and enhanced survivability, aligning with the MARSEUS project's objective of revolutionizing the defense landscape through modular architectures.
