The rise of new hypersonic missile threats poses a significant challenge for European and NATO ground and naval air defence systems. The Hypersonic Defence Interceptor System (HYDIS) programme is the wider European collaborative response to the pressing need for a new interception solution able to effectively protect European territory, population, high value assets and deployed forces in the years ahead.

The HYDIS programme, launched under the auspices of TWISTER (Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based Theatre surveillance) PESCO initiative, is supported by unprecedented collaborative effort between the EU, industry and government, bringing together 19 partners and more than 30 subcontractors from 14 European countries. France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands collectively contribute approximately 60 M€ to the programme, along with the EU Defence Fund (EDF) providing 80 M€ in co-financing.

This programme offers a significant benefit, contributing to European resilience and technological sovereignty in the anti-missile domain, while also fostering cooperation and interoperability between EU countries and industry.

Through a 3-year Concept Phase, the HYDIS programme aims to study, mature and select an effective interceptor concept or family of concepts to counter hypersonic threats, by achieving three main objectives: a) to select the most suitable counter-hypersonic concept of interceptor (with potential variants) along with the associated weapon systems architecture; b) to mature the technologies necessary for implementing the selected counter-hypersonic concept in the next assessment and development programme phases; c) to establish the industrial network to develop the future counter-hypersonic missile systems.

The HYDIS Consortium is led by the French company MBDA FR who acts as prime contractor, and integrates the following companies: MBDA IT, MBDA DE, MBDA SP, ROXEL FR, Ariane Group SAS (FR), LYNRED (FR), ONERA (FR), Bayern Chemie (DE), TDW (DE), DLR (DE), OHB System AG (DE), Avio Aero GE Avio S.r.l. (IT), AVIO SpA (IT), C.I.R.A. (IT), Fokker Aerostructures B.V. (NL), Thales Nederland B.V. (NL), TNO (NL), THALES LAS (FR).

HYDIS Participating States

HYDIS - Hypersonic Defense Interceptor System

The HYDIS programme will develop a European interceptor or family of interceptors for strengthening European air defence against emerging hypersonic threats. The current concept phase starting in 2024 is addressing three main objectives:

• Selecting the most suitable counter-hypersonic concept of interceptor with the associated weapon system architecture.
• Maturing the key critical technologies that enable a development phase in 2030 for an in-service date at 2035 horizon.
• Creating the European industrial network to develop the future European counter-hypersonic missile systems.

Besides, HYDIS concept phase will go through several steps:

• Consolidating and harmonising the concept of operations.
• Building a joint definition of current and upcoming hypersonic threats.
• Consolidating weapon system requirements including the interceptor and its integration in the whole engagement chain.

Coordinated by MBDA FR, the European HYDIS consortium – 19 high valuable partners and more than 30 sub-contractors in 14 European countries – will tackle the following major technical challenges:

• A multi-staged airframe with short response time and high manoeuvring capabilities at high altitude and high velocity.
• High accuracy and long-range terminal sensors architecture and technologies.
• Long duration and modulated cruise propulsion.
• Artificial intelligence/complex algorithms for threat path computation, engagement planning and mid-course guidance.
• Predictive terminal guidance against highly manoeuvring targets.
• Sensors able to fully operate in hostile environment.
• Delivering lethality performance for very high closing speeds.
• Flexible integration within existing and future naval and land European platforms.
• Weapon system architecture with connexion to systems of systems and networks of distributed sensors integrated at theatre or space level.

HYDIS concept phase participants: