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Insight: MAST-F Missile to Replace Hellfire II in Service with French Armed Forces.
The Cazaux test range was the site, on 19 March 2025, of a significant milestone for European armaments: the first in-flight test firing of the Future Tactical Air-to-Ground Missile (MAST-F) from a Tigre attack helicopter was successfully carried out. This next-generation missile, developed under a programme managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), is intended to replace the American-made Hellfire II missile currently deployed on French Tigre helicopters and adapt France’s strike capabilities to the operational requirements of future battlefields.
Designed for use under all conditions, day or night, MAST-F is a fifth-generation missile equipped with an advanced guidance system (Picture source: OCCAR)
From a technical perspective, the MAST-F stands out for its performance and versatility. Weighing approximately 35 kg, the missile has a range of at least 8 km when fired from a hovering Tigre, extending to 15 km when launched from a high-altitude drone. Its multi-effect warhead is capable of neutralising main battle tanks, fortified infrastructure, or groups of combatants with high precision and reduced collateral damage. Designed for use under all conditions, day or night, MAST-F is a fifth-generation missile equipped with an advanced guidance system. It operates autonomously in a "fire-and-forget" mode while retaining the option for operator control in flight via a man-in-the-loop function. It can be employed in direct fire or beyond-line-of-sight semi-indirect fire, depending on the tactical situation. Its multi-mode seeker combines high-resolution infrared and TV imaging with semi-active laser designation, offering three target acquisition modes. The missile also supports advanced targeting features: lock-on before or after launch, in-flight target update, and mission abort capability. These are enabled through a bidirectional data link that transmits real-time seeker imagery to the launch platform, allowing the crew to select an optimal impact point or switch targets mid-flight. At equivalent performance, MAST-F is also lighter than comparable missiles: its 20% weight reduction translates into a saving of around 100 kg when a Tigre carries eight missiles, allowing for additional fuel and extended operational range.
The industrial development of the MAST-F programme is structured around cooperative management. Initially overseen by France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), the programme was transferred to OCCAR at the end of 2020, with the programme decision coming into force in March 2021. Since then, OCCAR has managed the project on France’s behalf, with MBDA France as the prime contractor. The awarded contract covers system development and qualification, along with an initial production batch of 500 missiles, 100 modular launchers, and 27 training simulators. It also includes integration onto the designated platforms (Tigre MkIII and, eventually, the European MALE drone), as well as initial logistics support. The total investment for development and production is estimated at around €566 million, with a programme timeline extending to 2031. MBDA is leveraging existing technology by building upon the architecture of the medium-range MMP missile (now known as Akeron MP), thereby reducing development risks while incorporating next-generation components. The programme is generating a significant workload within the French defence industry, with around 350 jobs engaged annually during the early development phase and approximately 250 sustained jobs during the initial production decade—contributing directly to the national defence industrial base.
The Cazaux test range was the site, on 19 March 2025, of a significant milestone for European armaments: the first in-flight test firing of the Future Tactical Air-to-Ground Missile (MAST-F) from a Tigre attack helicopter was successfully carried out (Picture source: DGA)
Several key milestones have already been achieved. Two tube-fired tests were conducted to validate the missile’s deployment and propulsion; the second test confirmed safe separation from the launcher and successful wing and fin deployment. This was followed by a full-range test firing in early 2025 and the air-to-ground test from a Tigre helicopter. Additional testing is scheduled: guidance and datalink tests on the Tigre platform are planned for 2026, ahead of a Critical Design Review in 2027, which will mark the final validation phase before series production. The timeline targets initial deliveries in 2028 to equip the upgraded Tigre MkIII by 2029. In parallel, the missile is also being adapted for integration on France’s future MALE drones, with the development of a suitable launcher. This expansion into unmanned platforms reflects a collaborative combat approach, where helicopters and automated systems operate jointly using a shared munition.
Strategically, the MAST-F programme is significant in terms of capability sovereignty and European cooperation. It is a fully European missile, designed and produced without reliance on non-European suppliers. While Germany opted for the Spike missile, France continued the MAST-F programme independently, entrusting OCCAR with its management to preserve a path for future collaboration. France remains the only formal participant in the programme, though Spain—partnered with France in the Tigre MkIII upgrade—may eventually adopt the MAST-F to harmonise its fleet’s armament. Standardising around a European missile would also facilitate helicopter exports by avoiding constraints associated with non-European components. The programme thus supports the strategic autonomy sought by the European Union and contributes to greater coherence across the continent’s defence capabilities. Operationally, the missile offers French forces a precise, adaptable, and interoperable air-to-ground strike option suited for high-intensity scenarios.
In summary, MAST-F represents a key capability development for helicopter and drone-based strike operations. It is a technological advancement, an industrial driver, and a strategic tool for Europe’s defence posture. By equipping French forces with a modern, sovereign missile, OCCAR and its stakeholders are laying a critical foundation for a European capability aligned with the demands of tomorrow’s battlefields.