The US Army has successfully conducted a test launch of its new hypersonic missile system, “Dark Eagle,” after two years of delays.
MBDA has revealed a new hypersonic missile interceptor concept, dubbed Aquila, as part of plans to field an endo-atmospheric interceptor capability in 2030.
According to MBDA, the extended air defence domain poses increasing challenges with fast-growing and complex threats, such as manoeuvring ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles, and hypersonic glide vehicles. These new threats need to be addressed by dedicated interception solutions to ensure the efficient protection of domestic high-value assets.
MBDA has worked for more than five years on innovative options for counter-hypersonic air-defence, building on its expertise from the ASTER anti-missile interceptor. Following that, in March 2023, MBDA was invited with its partners to tender for a concept architecture and technology maturation study of an endo-atmospheric interceptor against the new emerging threats.
This took the form of the HYDIS2 project (HYpersonic Defence Interceptor Study) proposed by MBDA with a consortium bringing together 19 partners and more than 30 subcontractors across 14 European countries. The members of the consortium are defence groups, institutions, SMEs, and universities with recognized expertise in the key technology areas needed for the purpose of the study of such a new interceptor.
Also read: Raytheon | A hypersonic missile takes flight
The company specifically showcased a three-stage rocket design during the Paris Air Show, but at the same time, it mentioned that two-stage concepts are also under consideration.
Currently, AQUILA fits within an €80 million, three-year concept phase funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF). At a more fundamental level, the weapon is aligned with the European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)-sponsored Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER Surveillance (TWISTER) program that aims to have an endo-atmospheric hypersonic interceptor entering service in 2030.
Company officials here at the Paris Airshow told media Tuesday that the Aquila concept has support from partner nations France, Italy, Germany, and The Netherlands, who will be collectively responsible for agreeing on a final design at the end of the concept phase.
MBDA will also focus on maturing critical technologies to determine the best possible Aquila design.
Lionel Mazenq, head of counter-hypersonic programs at MBDA, said that there is nothing like this AQUILA in the US or Israel mentioning that the top ceiling for endo-atmospheric interceptor capabilities is the Ryatheon’s SM-6 missile. He noted, however, that DARPA’s Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program has defined a similar analysis of the situation in relation to shaping future endo-atmospheric capabilities.
READ MORE
GCAP | Industry Partners Reached a Landmark Agreement to Deliver Next-Gen Combat Aircraft
BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) have reached an agreement to form a new…
Ukraine | Receipt of 1.2 Million Drones in 2024
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that it had supplied 1.2 million unmanned aerial vehicles to the Ukrainian army in 2024.
USA | The leader of the Islamic State was killed in an airstrike in Syria
The US military announced midday Friday that it had killed ISIS leader Abu Yusuf in an airstrike in Deir ez-Zor province.
THEON INTERNATIONAL | German parliament approves the exercise of the 3rd option of the OCCAR Night Vision contract
Theon International Plc (THEON) announces that the Defence and Budget Committees of the German Parliament approved yesterday a new…
BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024 | The premier Defence and Security Conference Successfully Concludes in Cyprus – Photos
The International Defence and Security Conference “BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024” was successfully concluded on Friday, 13, December 2024…
Dark Eagle | Successful Test of Hypersonic Missile by the US Army
The US Army has successfully conducted a test launch of its new hypersonic missile system, “Dark Eagle,” after two years of delays.
GCAP | Industry Partners Reached a Landmark Agreement to Deliver Next-Gen Combat Aircraft
BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) have reached an agreement to form a new…
Completion of the French-Hellenic Defence Innovation Symposium
On 12 and 13 December, 2024, the Hellenic Centre of Defence Innovation (HCDI) organised the first French-Hellenic Defence Innovation…