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IRIS-T SLM
BERLIN—Diehl Defense and Spanish Missile Systems (SMS) have agreed to continue their relationship should their proposed concept for a hypersonic defense weapon be selected for the next step in a European Union-funded program.
The two companies are leading the European Defense Fund (EDF)-supported European Hypersonic Defense Interceptor (HYDEF) project to develop an effector capable of countering hypersonic endoatmospheric threats.
It is one of two hypersonic defense interceptor efforts in Europe, the other being the Hypersonic Defense Interceptor System (HYDIS2), which is led by MBDA.
Diehl and SMS had teamed for the first iteration of the HYDEF project but are now gearing up for a follow-on project called HYDEF2, which will see them submit their concept into an EDF project called High-End Endo Atmospheric Interception (EATMI).
According to Diehl, they and SMS will lead the formation of a new consortium for HYDEF2, “bringing together leading defense and space companies,” Diehl officials said. They signed a memorandum of understanding during the Berlin ILA Air Show here, the companies announced June 11.
Their proposal is a 7-m-long, three-stage missile that has been designed for maximum agility in the endgame.
“This partnership underscores our joint commitment to delivering a European cutting-edge solution to address the evolving threat landscape”, said Harald Buschek, chief program officer at Diehl Defense.
“The collaboration is expected to mark a significant step toward deeper bilateral cooperation between Germany and Spain, further strengthening interoperability and industrial alignment,” SMS President Ignacio Bengoechea said.
Diehl says HYDEF2 will be a predevelopment phase for its interceptor, and the companies aim to achieve an operational capability in the “shortest possible time frame.” Their proposals build on Diehl’s proven IRIS-T family of missiles, including the medium-range IRIS-T SLM and the longer-IRIS-T SLX.
During ILA, Diehl also signed agreements with Israel’s Elbit System to offer Elbit’s SkyStriker advanced loitering munition to the German armed forces. Diehl would manufacture, integrate and assemble the systems under the agreement if the system was chosen by Berlin.
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