At a media briefing held during Euronaval 2026, MBDA provided, for the first time, precise details on the AQUILA endo-atmospheric interceptor, a model of which was on display at the stand.

The missile is the core of the European HYDIS program (Hypersonic Defence Interceptor Study), which competes with the rival HYDEF (HYpersonic DEFence) to meet European requirements for defense against ballistic and hypersonic threats.

The missile will use a 4-stage interceptor, with all stages rocket-propelled. The choice of this configuration, which provides the very high acceleration needed against this type of threat, was made in July. The missile must provide dual intercept capability: against ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 3,000 km (IRBM, Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile) and, at the same time, against hypersonic missiles, both HGV (Hypersonic Glide Vehicle) and hypersonic cruise missiles.

For this reason, it must conduct hit-to-kill intercepts across a wide range of altitudes: very high altitudes, at the outer edge of the region known militarily as endo-atmospheric, to hit ballistic missiles, and lower altitudes to hit hypersonic threats.

This is a requirement Europe has set, and no comparable solution currently exists. The US uses 2 (or more) separate systems for these 2 tasks: the SM-3, with exo-atmospheric engagement capability, and THAAD, with endo/exo-atmospheric engagement capability, against ballistic missiles, and the future Glide Phase Interceptor against maneuvering hypersonic weapons.

In terms of size, the AQUILA must be compatible with the naval Mk-41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) and with evolutions of the SYLVER family (or other VLS). The system as a whole should be able to defend areas with a 100 km radius and must operate effectively with only its “organic” radar, although data from surveillance networks or satellites will be very useful.

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