French Akeron ATGM gets smart with AI-driven ground warden tech
A European defense contractor has secured a significant deal to enhance the capabilities of a cutting-edge missile system, potentially reshaping how modern militaries confront threats on the battlefield.
On June 19, 2025, NEODE Systems, a startup under the European missile giant MBDA, secured its first contract from France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement [DGA] to enhance the Akeron MP missile with an artificial intelligence-driven system called Ground Warden.
This development, aimed at boosting the missile’s ability to strike targets beyond the line of sight, signals France’s push to stay at the forefront of military technology amid growing global competition. The deal, which includes a series of test firings before the end of the year, could pave the way for a new era of precision and agility in ground combat, particularly for the French Army.
The Akeron MP, a fifth-generation, man-portable missile system, is designed to tackle a range of threats, from heavily armored tanks to fortified structures and infantry positions. Weighing approximately 33 pounds in its tactical launch canister, the missile is powered by a solid-propellant two-phase rocket motor, enabling it to reach targets up to 5 kilometers away.
Its bi-mode seeker, combining uncooled infrared and visible-light TV sensors, allows for versatile targeting options, including fire-and-forget and lock-on-before or after launch. This flexibility makes it a go-to weapon for dismounted troops and mechanized units alike, already in service with the French armed forces since 2018 and exported to allies like Egypt and Ukraine.
The missile’s lightweight composite structure and control fins enhance its portability. At the same time, its fiber-optic guidance system provides real-time video feedback, allowing operators to adjust its trajectory mid-flight for pinpoint accuracy, even against moving targets.
This capability proved its worth in a March 2024 demonstration during the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence Capstone 4, where the Akeron MP showcased its beyond-line-of-sight [BLOS] potential by locking onto targets after launch using its inertial measurement unit.
The Ground Warden system, the centerpiece of NEODE’s contract, takes the Akeron MP’s capabilities a step further by integrating artificial intelligence to streamline battlefield decision-making. Described as a “plug-and-play” solution, Ground Warden is a compact compute module, weighing less than 4.5 pounds and consuming under 20 watts, that attaches to the Akeron launcher.
It processes real-time data from multiple sources—such as the missile’s seeker, small unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs], or other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance [ISR] assets—and delivers actionable insights to operators via a ruggedized tablet.
By fusing video feeds and sensor data, the system can match imagery from offboard sensors with the missile’s own feed, calculating target engagement success rates based on factors like distance, topography, and flight time.
This allows soldiers to engage hidden targets with greater confidence, reducing exposure to enemy fire. At Eurosatory 2024, a defense exhibition in Paris, MBDA demonstrated Ground Warden’s ability to coordinate with a UAV, enabling operators to detect and strike a simulated enemy tank in a village several kilometers away.
The contract marks a milestone for NEODE Systems, founded in January 2024 to fast-track MBDA’s development of digital and AI technologies. Less than 18 months later, the startup’s agile approach—emphasizing short development cycles and close collaboration with end-users—has borne fruit.
The upcoming test firings, scheduled before year’s end, will put Ground Warden through its paces, aiming to secure a license for broader adoption by the French Army. If successful, the system could enhance the military’s ability to counter evolving threats, from improvised explosive devices to sophisticated armored vehicles, in dynamic and contested environments.
“This first contract demonstrates the relevance of NEODE Systems’ innovative model, which combines agile, short-cycle development involving the end customer at each stage, and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence,” said Laurent Duport, CEO of NEODE Systems, in a statement on MBDA’s website.
The Akeron MP’s evolution reflects a broader shift in modern warfare, where precision, speed, and connectivity are paramount. Unlike older anti-tank systems like the U.S.-made TOW missile, which relies on wire-guided technology and requires line-of-sight, the Akeron MP’s BLOS capability allows operators to engage targets from concealed positions, a critical advantage in urban or rugged terrain.
Its closest U.S. equivalent, the Javelin missile, also offers fire-and-forget functionality but lacks the Akeron’s fiber-optic guidance for mid-flight adjustments. Meanwhile, Russia’s 9M133 Kornet, a laser-guided anti-tank missile, provides a similar range but is vulnerable to electronic countermeasures, a challenge the Akeron’s jam-resistant fiber-optic system aims to overcome.
China’s HJ-12 missile, another competitor, boasts advanced imaging but has seen limited combat use, raising questions about its reliability compared to the battle-tested Akeron MP.
France’s investment in Ground Warden aligns with its broader defense modernization efforts, driven by the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law, which allocates €10 billion for innovation, including AI and autonomous systems. The French Army has increasingly prioritized network-centric warfare, integrating platforms like the Jaguar EBRC, a six-wheeled armored vehicle equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems.
During operations in Mali’s Sahel region, French forces faced ambushes from mobile insurgent groups, exposing the limitations of line-of-sight weapons in vast, open terrains. The Akeron MP, paired with Ground Warden, could address these gaps by enabling troops to strike from safer distances, leveraging UAVs or other ISR assets for targeting.
A 2021 demonstration under the European Union’s LynkEUs program showed the missile’s ability to collaborate with a UAV for BLOS engagements, hitting targets 8 kilometers away with high precision.
The system’s potential extends beyond ground forces. In late 2023, the French Navy tested the Akeron MP from a ship, adapting it for maritime use with modifications to account for a moving platform. The successful qualification firings paved the way for deliveries to French Special Forces, highlighting the missile’s versatility across domains. MBDA is also exploring integration with loitering munitions and third-party UAVs, expanding the Akeron family’s role in coordinated strikes.
At Eurosatory 2024, the company showcased Ground Warden alongside a 4×4 vehicle equipped with Akeron launchers and mini-drones, hinting at future applications for multi-domain operations.
The push for AI-driven systems like Ground Warden comes as global militaries race to harness artificial intelligence. The U.S. has invested heavily in programs like Project Maven, which uses AI to analyze drone footage, though it faced controversy over ethical concerns.
Russia’s Marker UGV, an autonomous ground vehicle, integrates AI for reconnaissance and targeting but has struggled with reliability in Ukraine’s contested electronic warfare environment. China’s defense sector, meanwhile, is developing AI-enhanced drones and missiles, though details remain scarce due to limited transparency.
France’s approach, emphasizing “trusted AI” with a human-in-the-loop, seeks to balance operational efficiency with ethical considerations. “This is extremely important because we feel that AI is not yet mature enough,” Laurent Duport told reporters at Eurosatory 2024, underscoring the need for human oversight.
Despite its promise, Ground Warden faces challenges. Electronic warfare, including signal jamming, remains a significant threat to networked systems. Russia’s use of jammers in Ukraine has disrupted GPS-guided weapons, raising questions about the resilience of AI-driven platforms like Ground Warden.
The French Army’s SCORPION program, which aims to integrate digital systems across its forces, has faced delays in deploying network infrastructure, potentially limiting the system’s scalability. Moreover, the rapid development timeline—Ground Warden was developed in just six months—could invite skepticism about its readiness for complex battlefields. Past European defense projects, like the FREMM frigate program, have encountered delays and cost overruns, casting doubt on ambitious schedules.
The contract also highlights MBDA’s broader strategy to maintain Europe’s technological edge. As a multinational corporation owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, MBDA employs over 13,000 people and generated €4.5 billion in revenue in 2023. Its focus on AI and open architectures aligns with NATO’s push for interoperable, future-proof systems.
On June 17, 2025, MBDA signed an outline agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency [NSPA] to streamline logistics and maintenance for the Akeron MP, ensuring rapid deployment across member states. “This contract lays the groundwork for a broader integration of the Akeron MP into NATO member states’ arsenals,” noted Stacy Cummings, NSPA General Manager, emphasizing the missile’s role in alliance readiness.
Historically, France has leveraged its defense industry to assert strategic autonomy, a priority amplified by recent geopolitical tensions. The Akeron MP’s deployment in Ukraine, where it has been used against Russian armor, underscores its combat-proven status. Unlike the U.S., which relies on a larger defense budget, France uses targeted investments to compete with global powers.
Programs like the Future Combat Air System [FCAS] and the Main Ground Combat System [MGCS], both incorporating AI and network-centric technologies, reflect this ambition. Yet, compared to Germany, where modernization has lagged due to bureaucratic hurdles, France’s agile approach through startups like NEODE Systems offers a potential model for rapid innovation.
The upcoming tests will be a critical benchmark. Success could position Ground Warden as a game-changer, enabling faster, safer engagements in high-threat environments. Failure, however, risks fueling doubts about AI’s battlefield reliability, particularly if electronic countermeasures or integration issues arise.
The results will likely influence not only France’s defense strategy but also NATO’s broader adoption of AI-enhanced systems. As militaries worldwide grapple with the complexities of modern warfare, the ability to deliver precise, networked solutions could redefine operational success.
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