Paris Air Show 2023: MBDA unveils AQUILA Interceptor to combat hypersonic threats under HYDIS² program.

European multinational missile developer and manufacturer, MBDA, announced on June 20, 2023, that MBDA would lead a European consortium under the HYpersonic Defence Interceptor Study (HYDIS²) program, offering its AQUILA interceptor. The goal is to develop new missiles capable of countering emerging hypersonic threats.
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At Paris Air Show 2023, MBDA unveils its AQUILA interceptor in the framework of the HYpersonic Defence Interceptor Study HYDIS² program. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Launched by MBDA, the HYDIS² program brings together a formidable consortium of 19 partners and over 30 subcontractors from 14 European countries, including leading defense groups, institutions, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), mid-caps, and universities. All members of the consortium possess recognized expertise in the key technologies required for the development of such a new interceptor.

The initiative seeks to design and mature various interceptor concepts to deliver an optimal interception solution that addresses the defense needs of four member states - France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. The program is designed to align with the European TWISTER capability program and forms a vital part of the European states' efforts to protect their populations and armed forces from increasingly threatening hypersonic threats, a significant departure from traditional ballistic threats.

The governments of France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have already demonstrated their support and commitment to the HYDIS² initiative by signing a Letter of Intent and agreeing on Initial Common Requirements.

Given the rapid evolution of air defense challenges, which now include maneuvering ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles, and hypersonic glide vehicles, the need for dedicated interception solutions has never been more urgent. The HYDIS² initiative aims to develop these solutions to ensure the effective protection of high-value domestic assets and operational deployments in the future decades.

For over five years, MBDA has been developing innovative options for counter-hypersonic air defense, leveraging its expertise from the ASTER anti-missile interceptor project and extensive knowledge of threat systems. As part of this, MBDA's AQUILA project proposes the most promising counter-hypersonic interceptor concepts for European nations. The company is also expanding its global area defense portfolio with other air defense products.

A counter-hypersonic interceptor is a type of defensive weapon system designed to detect, track, and ultimately destroy or neutralize incoming hypersonic threats. Hypersonic threats can include hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) or hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs), both of which are capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and can maneuver during flight, making them challenging targets.

The primary challenge with intercepting hypersonic vehicles is their speed and maneuverability. Traditional missile defense systems are designed to counter ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable, relatively fixed trajectory. In contrast, hypersonic vehicles can change their trajectory during flight, which makes them much more difficult to track and intercept.

A counter-hypersonic interceptor would need to have advanced tracking and guidance systems, potentially including radar, infrared, or other sensors, to detect and track the hypersonic vehicle. It would also require a propulsion system capable of matching or exceeding the hypersonic vehicle's speed, and a warhead or other mechanism capable of neutralizing the hypersonic vehicle once it has been intercepted.