MBDA unveils STRATUS for future cruise and anti-ship capabilities

MBDA unveils STRATUS for future cruise and anti-ship capabilities

STRATUS the new name for the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW)
New missile design as the programme moves on towards Development Phase
Programme maturity the result of strong European cooperation to deliver decisive capabilities for protecting sovereignty

On 10 September on the MBDA booth at DSEI UK 2025, UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, Luke Pollard MP and Armament General Engineer Gaël Diaz De Tuesta of France’s DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) unveiled STRATUS as the new name for FC/ASW.

The unveiling took place at a model of the brand-new design for STRATUS LO (Low Observable) – formerly known as TP15 – and a model for STRATUS RS (Rapid Strike) – formerly known as RJ10 – highlighting the significant progress of the program.

Through one program, MBDA is developing two complementary, adaptable and interoperable missiles that will deliver decisive capabilities for deep strike, anti-ship, suppression & destruction of enemy air defences and defeat of high value assets.

The missiles are for use across the air, sea and land domains, from multiple platforms, and are able to operate in denied areas. Together, they combine the survivability benefits of high speed/manoeuvrability and low observability needed for optimal flexibility and performance in tomorrow’s contested battlespace and high intensity conflicts.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “These new advances on STRATUS are the result of France, UK and Italy’s strong commitment to develop Europe’s present and future critical capabilities.

Maturing such a large portfolio of technologies in such a short amount of time has required a massive effort between nations and has again demonstrated the value of the MBDA cooperation model. MBDA will continue to deliver on the next phase, bringing together France, the UK and Italy to meet the armed forces needs and protect European citizens for the years to come”.

MBDA continues at pace for the next phase of the program. The successful conclusion of the program’s Assessment Phase endorsed the maturity of the advanced technologies and systems required to launch the full Development Phase. STRATUS is leveraging the full strength of MBDA co operative DNA with more than 750 engineers working on the program across the Group.

MBDA adds SPEAR GLIDE variant to portfolio

Lower cost weapon for higher combat mass and enhanced lethal effects
Designed for high-rate production and accelerated entry into service
A complimentary capability for SPEAR and SPEAR-EW

MBDA is using DSEI UK 2025 as a showcase for its addition of SPEAR GLIDE, a cost-effective addition to the SPEAR family of weapons. Building upon existing variants, SPEAR GLIDE extends MBDA’s portfolio with a clear focus on rapidly expanding stockpiles. SPEAR GLIDE offers a lower-cost option using readily available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and alternative production lines, while using artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain missile performance with image-based navigation for GNSS denied environments.

The suitability for SPEAR GLIDE for rapid volume production enables production surge should the need arise. Developing SPEAR GLIDE using MBDA’s digital twin capabilities with real life SPEAR performance data has enabled accelerated development program through Concept and Assessment phases. Leveraging existing infrastructure, loader systems, storage, test equipment, facilities and integration solutions for 4th and 5th generation platforms, SPEAR GLIDE has reduced risk and acquisition costs, and the opportunity for accelerated entry to service.

Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “SPEAR GLIDE embodies MBDA’s commitment to a comprehensive, efficient, integrated weapons portfolio. By offering a lower-cost, higher mass option that fits seamlessly into our family of systems, we are enhancing flexibility and value for sovereign capabilities.”

An integral member of the SPEAR family, SPEAR GLIDE offers a versatile, adaptable solution for precision strike and SEAD. It is capable of engaging a wide range of static and mobile targets in the most challenging operational environments, including soft and moderately hardened fixed sites.

MBDA launch CROSSBOW™ the ONE-WAY EFFECTOR HEAVY at DSEI

‘Battle ready’ deep fires response to the current threat environment
Rapidly developed capability: Design to demonstration ready in months
Production at scale possible as early as 2026

MBDA is presenting its latest ONE-WAY EFFECTOR (OWE), an affordable heavy deep fires solution named CROSSBOW™ the OWE HEAVY at DSEI UK this week, 9- 12 September 2025. CROSSBOW™ the OWE HEAVY has been designed to be a deep fires capability able to operate in high intensity conflicts and notably in complex electromagnetic environments, at a cost that enables significant combat mass.

With MBDA responsible for the overall weapon system, together with a team of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses from across Europe, CROSSBOW™ the OWE HEAVY has gone from design to demonstration in seven months.

Helped by a modular design utilizing military and commercial “off the shelf” subsystems, production at scale is possible as early as quarter two (Q2) 2026. MBDA has brought its high end complex weapons understanding to deliver a credible solution, with options for spirally developing the capability across survivability, range/lethality, navigation, and platform integration as the customer or the evolving threat dictates.

CROSSBOW™ the OWE HEAVY is ground launched from the back of a vehicle, delivering multi-role kinetic and non kinetic payloads up to 300kg out to ranges in excess of 800km, destroying static targets, among which high value assets.

Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “This project exemplifies the spirit and values of MBDA. It shows that we understand the context of the world today and are adapting, not just to the threat environment, but the procurement environment too. We are demonstrating we are ‘Battle Ready’ with our confidence in our understanding and anticipation of requirements. Our people are also showing their strengths through this project. Cooperation with partners, agile working with a rapid decision mind-set and a tolerance of risk. We are showing we can be different, in what are now different times.”

CROSSBOW™ the OWE HEAVY was designed in parallel to the OWE launched at the Paris Air Show 2025, with a similar mind-set but applied to a different threat set, providing a different solution. The similarities also extend to the sovereignty of the capability with ‘off the shelf’ production mentality lending itself to easy reconfiguration for customers wishing to use domestic supply chains, as well as the options for spiral development.