Defense against hypersonic weapons poses challenges for current air defense systems. After all, these cruise missiles – at least according to current classification – do not fly ballistic curves and remain maneuverable during flight. For Europe, they may pose one of the great threats of the future.
Now the European Commission has announced its selection decision for the MBDA-led HYDIS² (HYpersonic Defence Interceptor Study) project. The goal of HYDIS² is to design various interceptor concepts and bring the associated critical technologies to maturity for an endoatmospheric missile. The missile is intended to be used against new advanced hypersonic threats. The selection decision has been made following a competitive bidding process under the European Defense Fund. The project aims to find an interceptor solution that best meets the needs of the four member states – France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands – under the European PESCO TWISTER program.
19 partners and more than 20 subcontractors from 14 European countries belong to the HYDIS² consortium. The members are defense companies, institutions, medium-sized enterprises and universities.The consortium combines European competence, expertise and knowledge in the field of missile development.The partners are ArianeGroup, AVIO, Avio Aero, Bayern-Chemie, CIRA., DLR, GKN Fokker, LYNRED, MBDA España, MBDA France, MBDA Germany, MBDA Italia, OHB System AG, ONERA, ROXEL France, THALES LAS France, TDW, THALES Netherlands and TNO. France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding and defined common requirements.
