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France In development MBDA
Akeron RCX50
Compact, launcher-free loitering munition extending MBDA's Akeron family (alongside the fielded Akeron MP/LP missiles) with a beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance-and-strike capability. Man-portable and GNSS-denial resilient, with a fully reversible safety/arming system for last-second mission abort and secure recovery. Co-developed with Novadem under a French DGA experimentation contract; first deliveries targeted for 2026.
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-08-02
Pricing: No public unit cost. In development under a French DGA experimentation contract with Novadem; first deliveries targeted for 2026, 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. | 10 km |
|---|---|
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 0.7 h |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Man-in-the-loop control, Reversible engagement / last-second abort |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.5 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 2 kg |
| 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 RCX50? +
The MBDA Akeron RCX50 has a maximum range of 10 km.
How much does the MBDA Akeron RCX50 weigh? +
The MBDA Akeron RCX50 has a combat weight of 2 kg.
How many crew does the MBDA Akeron RCX50 require? +
The MBDA Akeron RCX50 requires a crew of 0.
What is the MBDA Akeron RCX50 used for? +
The MBDA Akeron RCX50 is a uav / drone typically used for anti armor, isr.
How much does the MBDA Akeron RCX50 cost? +
MBDA Akeron RCX50: No public unit cost. In development under a French DGA experimentation contract with Novadem; first deliveries targeted for 2026, no production order disclosed yet.. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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