As part of a European Defence Fund sponsored project, German and Spanish missile developers are beginning work on a new hypersonic defense interceptor.
Diehl Defence of Germany serves as the technical lead while SENER Aeroespacial of Spain is coordinating the European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor (EU HYDEF) program.
The missile manufacturers aim to develop a “European interceptor targeting the 2035+ threats, along with weapon and sensor systems,” according to the EU fact sheet for the program.
Diehl, SENER, and partner companies will work to develop a HYDEF interceptor prototype to demonstrate at the end of the program.
The program’s primary aim is to develop a countermeasure to be integrated into air defense systems capable of early warning, tracking, and interception of airborne threats such as ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
The European Commission approved 100 million euros ($102 million) for the concept phase in August.
The project involves 13 companies and organizations from seven nations to develop a counter-hypersonic endo-atmospheric interceptor by 2035.