OCCAR contracts MBDA for hypersonic interceptor phase
The hypersonic missile interceptor has a planned in-service date of 2035. (Image: MBDA)
The objective of HYDIS² will be to study various interceptor concepts and bring to maturity the associated critical technologies to deliver the counter-hypersonic and anti-ballistic interception solutions.
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR - Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en Matière d’Armement) has signed an agreement to fund a MBDA-led consortium conducting a study into the counter-hypersonic and anti-ballistic concept with the associated weapon architecture.
MBDA has been leading the HYpersonic Defence Interceptor Study (HYDIS2) Consortium. In July 2023, the European Commission selected HYDIS2 for funding, with the governments of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands deciding to co-fund.
The HYDIS2 consortium has brought together 19 partners and more than 20 subcontractors in 14 European countries.
Along with MBDA in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the partners are ArianeGroup, AVIO, Avio Aero, Bayern-Chemie, CIRA, DLR, GKN Fokker, LYNRED, OHB System AG, ONERA, ROXEL France, THALES LAS France, TDW, THALES Netherlands and TNO.
The consortium will define scenarios, threat and weapons, and consolidate weapon system requirements.
Ultimately, HYDIS2 will select the most suitable counter-hypersonic and anti-ballistic concept of interceptor for European nations’ needs, with the associated weapon system architecture to prepare an Assessment Phase and aim at an in-service date of 2035.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation]()
UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation
Despite the UK having the third-largest military UAV market in Europe, the country appears to be underinvesting in the capability relative to the size of its economy, particularly when compared with Baltic and eastern European states.
-
![Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft]()
Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with UK Defence Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
![US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet]()
US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet
As the T-7A programme recovers from delays and rising costs, the USAF is signalling new opportunities in anti-jamming GPS, collision avoidance, advanced flight controls and pilot interface improvements.
-
![“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare]()
“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare
In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.
-
![Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns]()
Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns
B-52 modernisation, Sentinel, MH-139A, T-7A and Air Force One replacement are among the US Air Force programmes the GAO says remain at risk of further schedule slips and cost growth due to acquisition and management challenges.
-
![NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy]()
NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy
The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.
