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France In development MBDA
Akeron RCH170
Longer-range loitering munition completing MBDA's Akeron family alongside the shorter-range Akeron RCX50, with an interchangeable warhead for engaging heavily armoured targets beyond line of sight. Co-developed by MBDA (guidance/weapon systems), Delair (drone airframe) and KNDS Ammo France (warhead), building on the French Defence Innovation Agency's LARINAE contract and the MUTANT XL demonstrator. In development, tube-launched.
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-08-02
Pricing: No public unit cost. In development, building on the French DGA-funded LARINAE contract and MUTANT XL demonstrator; no production order disclosed yet.
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
French export-licensed
CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.
Channel: DGA / direct commercial
Development status
Operator data not public
Status: announced.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 80 km |
|---|---|
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 1 h |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Automatic terminal guidance, Jamming-resistant datalink |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 1.7 m |
|---|---|
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Specifications compiled from public MBDA and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-08-02.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the MBDA Akeron RCH170? +
The MBDA Akeron RCH170 has a maximum range of 80 km.
How many crew does the MBDA Akeron RCH170 require? +
The MBDA Akeron RCH170 requires a crew of 0.
What is the MBDA Akeron RCH170 used for? +
The MBDA Akeron RCH170 is a uav / drone typically used for anti armor, isr.
How much does the MBDA Akeron RCH170 cost? +
MBDA Akeron RCH170: No public unit cost. In development, building on the French DGA-funded LARINAE contract and MUTANT XL demonstrator; no production order disclosed yet.. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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