National Defense

New Missile Could Put Enemy Warships In The Crosshairs From Hundreds Of Miles Away

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

France and Britain are developing a powerful new supersonic missile designed to strike enemy warships and military targets from distances far beyond the reach of existing anti-ship weapons.

European defense manufacturer MBDA says its Stratus RS missile will dramatically exceed the range of the Exocet anti-ship missile, which can travel more than 124 miles. The new weapon could significantly expand Europe’s long-range strike capabilities, although its precise range remains undisclosed, according to Defense News.

The missile’s range will extend “far, far, far” beyond the Exocet’s capabilities, the company’s deputy director for sales and business development, Olivier Gauffin, said Tuesday at the Euronaval defense exhibition in Paris, Defense News reported.

MBDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Exocet MM40 Block 3 can launch from naval vessels and coastal batteries, employing low-altitude flight to evade enemy defenses, according to MBDA.

Unlike traditional anti-ship missiles, the Stratus RS is intended to perform multiple missions, including destroying enemy warships, striking targets deep inside hostile territory and suppressing sophisticated air defense systems, according to MBDA.

The missile could also threaten high-value military aircraft, including airborne early-warning platforms and aerial refueling tankers, according to the company’s technical overview.

The weapon will employ a throttleable liquid-fueled ramjet engine, allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds while maneuvering against enemy defenses. Its flight profile will permit both high-altitude and low-altitude attacks, potentially complicating interception efforts, Defense News reported, citing Gauffin.

The missile will also incorporate radio-frequency guidance and synthetic aperture radar technology, allowing it to attack targets on land and strike enemy vessels from above. French defense electronics manufacturer Thales is supplying the targeting technology, according to Defense News.

MBDA is simultaneously developing a second missile, the Stratus LO, designed to prioritize stealth rather than speed. The subsonic weapon will carry a larger warhead capable of attacking fortified positions, including bunkers, according to MBDA.

Both weapons are designed to operate independently or cooperatively, combining high-speed attacks with stealth capabilities to overwhelm sophisticated enemy defenses, according to the company’s program description.

The missiles are expected to launch from French Rafale fighters, Eurofighter Typhoons and future aircraft developed under the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme. Modified versions could also launch from warships and ground-based platforms, Defense News reported.

The project comes as NATO members scramble to strengthen long-range offensive capabilities amid growing military threats from Russia. The alliance has identified long-range weapons among its priority modernization requirements, according to NATO.

Britain has committed more than £400 million toward hypersonic and long-range weapons programs during the current financial year, including cooperation with France, Germany and Italy, according to the British Defense Ministry.

However, the Stratus RS remains years away from deployment.

MBDA is awaiting a formal development contract from France’s Directorate General for Armament, acting on behalf of Paris and London. Flight testing is expected before 2030, with operational deployment targeted for the early 2030s, according to Defense News.

The manufacturer is also developing an upgraded Naval Cruise Missile capable of traveling more than 1,000 kilometers, or approximately 621 miles, demonstrating that the Stratus RS would not necessarily become Europe’s longest-range weapon, according to MBDA.