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Destinus CEO Mikhail Kokorich (center) unveiled Vorexon at Farnborough Airshow.
FARNBOROUGH, England—European defense startup Destinus is adding a counter-rocket interceptor to its portfolio with plans to have the system customer-ready in 2028, CEO Mikhail Kokorich says.
The ground-launched rocket is being designed to have a range of about 20 km (12 mi.) and to be equipped with an 8-kg (17-lb.) warhead. The roughly 160-mm (6-in.)-dia. rocket is designed to carry a Ku-band radar seeker for terminal guidance.
The system is intended as a lower-cost way to intercept fast, relatively cheap rocket artillery threats and glide bombs that can be launched in large numbers, he said in unveiling the system called Vorexon. It should also be effective against cruise missiles if those can be detected by ground radars to cue the interceptor.
Kokorich says the interceptor’s price tag should be roughly on par with what it costs to make and produce the threats.
Destinus is in talks with potential partners for systems such as the seeker. It currently is making the solid rocket motor for the interceptor itself, though it may look for partners, Kokorich says.
Component testing is already underway, with full-scale testing planned for next year.
The single-stage Vorexon is effectively Destinus’ rival to the Rafael Tamir Iron Dome interceptor.
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