A European consortium led by MBDA received a tender invitation in May for a European Defence Fund program to examine an interceptor system that can defend against advanced maneuvering hypersonic strike weapons. Known as Hydis2 (hypersonic defense interceptor study), the project has a three-year concept phase, during which three concept architectures—two with three motor stages and one with two—are being evaluated prior to the selection of one for further maturation.
Along with MBDA's involvement through activities in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, the consortium covers 19 partners in 14 European nations, including the Netherlands. MBDA has worked on counter-hypersonic defense technology for several years with its Aquila project and already has amassed considerable knowledge of the threat nature and the issues involved in intercepting vehicles traveling at speeds of Mach 5 or greater.
