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. 

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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. 

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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.

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