In June, during the **EuroSatory** air and land defense trade show, **Airbus Helicopters** shared details of a mid-life upgrade for the **EC-665 Tiger**, a reconnaissance and attack helicopter jointly developed by France and Spain. This upgrade, now labeled Mark III, includes the installation of a brand new digital avionics system, an optronic sight, a digital helmet, and a tactical display cockpit. The upgrade also involves rewiring the system to better integrate data flows and improve communication capacity. The helicopter will also be able to interact with drones. Marie Thomines, the program manager at Airbus Helicopters, explained that the upgrade is intended to prepare the helicopter for high-intensity combat scenarios, allowing it to detect threats before being detected itself. The integration of the Akeron LP anti-tank missile, previously known as the "high-frame missile" and developed by **MBDA** as part of the MAST-F program, is progressing, though the exact timeline remains unclear. In February 2025, the **Direction générale de l'armement (DGA)**, France’s defense procurement agency, conducted the first test firing of the Akeron LP, verifying its guidance system and the power of its main propulsion system. A few weeks later, a second test was carried out by a "test bench" Tiger helicopter under the control of DGA Essais en vol, which specializes in flight testing. The **Joint Armament Cooperation Organization (OCCAr)**, which oversees the MAST-F program, noted that the missile prototype was equipped with a booster and a telemetry system to collect large amounts of data. One of the goals of the test was to ensure that the vibrations from the Tiger's rotor would not interfere with the missile’s safe separation from the aircraft. Last March, the third test of the Akeron LP was conducted from a ground-based platform, confirming several critical functions, including its laser targeting abilities and its ability to communicate with its launcher. The **Ministry of the Armed Forces** stated that this test, the first of its kind from a ground platform, proved the missile could lock onto a target designated by a laser from over 6,000 meters away. A fourth successful test was recently carried out by a "test bench" helicopter deployed by DGA EV at Cazaux. According to OCCAr, this test marked a major milestone in the MAST-F program, validating all the essential components of the weapon system. OCCAr explained that the missile’s imaging guidance system was activated before launch in a configuration known as LOBL (Lock-On Before Launch), allowing it to reach the designated target and confirm important operational capabilities. This success represents a significant step toward developing a next-generation, high-precision, network-connected air-to-ground strike system for the French military. According to **MBDA**, a key feature of the Akeron LP is its bidirectional data link, which sends images from visible and infrared optronic sensors back to the operator. This allows the operator to designate the impact point or adjust the missile’s trajectory mid-flight if needed. The Akeron LP is now entering its qualification phase, which will assess its readiness for operational use.