Unveiling the Future: Meet the Cutting-Edge NARWHAL Turret Powered by the AKERON MP Missile System
The NARWHAL is an advanced remote-controlled 20mm naval turret that can be seamlessly mounted on both small patrol vessels and larger frigates. Featuring cutting-edge optronics, inclusive of a day/night scope and a laser rangefinder, it proves its effectiveness at distances exceeding 2,000 meters, courtesy of its 20M621 firearm.
Already recognized as a commercial triumph, the NARWHAL is currently utilized by six diverse navies. To fulfill existing requirements and cater to prospective clients, our engineers are diligently enhancing capabilities and introducing additional features to boost operational efficiency.
The NARWHAL turret showcased at the Nexter booth is combined with a manual target designator known as the Short Range Pointer (SRP), crafted by the German company Hensoldt. This user-friendly device enables an onboard operator to promptly designate a target for the NARWHAL by directing a laser beam.
The AKERON MP missile (previously referred to as the MMP) has been operational with French forces since 2017 and has garnered selection from five nations, including three in Europe. It stands as the sole latest-generation land combat missile currently in service that has successfully engaged in operational scenarios multiple times. Boasting over 150 test and training launches, the AKERON MP is adept at tackling various battlefield threats across diverse environments: extreme temperatures, urban landscapes, maritime zones, and rugged terrains. Additionally, a naval capability is being integrated into the AKERON MP missile to improve target acquisition of small targets and signatures from naval platforms, incorporating a mast-mounted setup, thus enhancing these ships’ self-defense mechanisms against maritime or land-based asymmetric threats in coastal regions. The AKERON MP provides both “fire-and-forget” and “man-in-the-loop” functionalities, particularly for situations with potential collateral damage risks.
The incorporation of MBDA’s anti-missile technology into the NARWHAL turret signifies that the AKERON MP is now accessible on a novel naval platform, while the system is also offered in a dismounted variant on a lightweight firing post, alongside various other platforms such as armored vehicles, light transports, ECUME semi-rigid commando crafts, swift patrol boats, and larger vessels designed for close protection missions.
