Euronaval 2026 – KNDS exhibits a concept container allowing easy naval integration of its MT-10 loitering munition

In 2025 KNDS France launched a series of fixed- and rotary-wing loitering munitions under the family name of Mataris, hence the initial “M” on all family members. With V indicating a fixed wing configuration, and X a rotary wing one, T was reserved to tube-launched munitions, the only one being for the time being the MT-10. At Paris Euronaval the Franco-German group exhibited a concept container, which should allow easy integration of multiple MT-10s on board naval vessels of different sizes

The MT-10 features a cylindrical fuselage with two two-blade counter-rotating rotors at the top. As blades are foldable, the munition can be easily launched from a tube, which allows to automatise the process without the need of human intervention. This was probably initially considered for integration in armoured vehicles, fitting the tubes in a similar way to smoke grenade launchers, however the idea of using a containerised version which could allow multiple munitions to be easily integrated on board a platform was an obvious evolution. This can of course be used on board land crewed and uncrewed vehicles; in the meantime, it can also solve integration on board naval vessels, adding a considerable offensive punch even to smaller boats.

It was designed to reduce acoustic signature and provide optimal manoeuvrability, to be able to operate not only in open spaces but also in urban scenarios. With a mass at launch of 3.8 kg, including the 550 grams of the MW-FRAG explosive-fragmentation warhead, it has a maximum range of 10 km and a 30-minute endurance. Depending on customers’ choice it can operate in automatic mode, semi-automatic, or fully manual.

KNDS is currently working on an FPV (First-Person View) version with a radio link between the operator and the munition. The company is also developing a wire-guided version, using fibre optics, which will have a shorter range, probably under 5 km, but will be resistant to jamming.

At Euronaval a container was exhibited, which left half hosted six MT-10, the right side apparently designed to host the tablet-based ground control system (GCS). As said, the exhibited solution was a concept; in real we would probably find only munitions in the box, with a small space reserved for the link with the embarked GCS located inside the boat superstructure.

At launch, an electrical lifting system pushed the selected munition up, inside the tube, until the rotor blades are free to deploy; at this point the electric motor is started and once the rotor reaches the lift speed the MT-10 takes off and flies towards its planned target area. Once there, it detects the target and once received the green light from the operator, which may be the only action by a human being, should an automatic flight mode be selected, the operator being in control of the whole flight in the FPV version currently under development. The system is easy to reload, as it is sufficient to put a new munition, blades folded, in the tube; the elevator grip captures it at the bottom and pull it down. EDR On-Line understood that the MT-10 is considered as a consumable, a one-way effector, and that it is not planned to recover it in case of mission abortion.

The MT-10 should become available in 2027, when production will start. The containerised solution will follow the same path; the six-cell concept demonstrator seen at the Paris naval exhibition was only an example, the concept being modular, 20, 30 or 40 cells systems being conceivable, dimensions being tailored to the platform considered for installation. A small footprint solution such as that seen at Euronaval can easily be installed on a RHIB or on a mid-size USV, the datalink maintaining in the loop an operator embarked on a different platform.

Photos by P. Valpolini