# MBDA-led hypersonic interceptor targets 2029 demonstrator flight, Defense News reports MBDA-led Hydis competes with Hydef for €100 million for its next development phase, Defense News reports. The European Defence Fund plans to support only one proposal. Published 2026-11-05 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/05/mbda-led-hypersonic-interceptor-targets-2029-demonstrator-flight-defense/ The MBDA-led Hydis consortium plans to fly a full-systems demonstrator of its European hypersonic interceptor by the end of 2029, Defense News reported from the company's briefing at the Euronaval exhibition.[1] Hydis is competing with Hydef, coordinated by Spain's Sistemas de Misiles, for €100 million in European funding for its second development phase.[1] The European Defence Fund plans to finance only one proposal.[1] MBDA vice president for program incubators Lionel Mazenq said Nov. 4 that a decision was due at month's end.[1] Mazenq said the next phase would run from mid-2027 to mid-2029 and include full-scale flight trials.[1] Hydis aims to reach technology readiness levels between 3 and 6 for all functions by the end of that phase.[1] Production is scheduled to begin in the first half of the 2030s, he said.[1] MBDA said 11 member states would contribute a combined €133 million alongside the European funding.[1] Mazenq put company contributions at more than €10 million.[1] Germany is dropping out as a partner country for phase two, the briefing documents said.[1] The consortium is developing fallback options if the European Commission chooses Hydef, Mazenq said.[1] The hit-to-kill concept draws on MBDA's Aster missile technology for flight control, with Italy's Avio providing solid rocket motors.[1] Mazenq said Hydis aims for a unit cost below a third of an SM-3's, without specifying which version.[1] ## Why it matters For suppliers, Hydis's next phase would widen participation: Mazenq said it would expand to 36 industrial and research partners plus 14 subcontractors, Defense News reports.[1] The project currently involves 19 companies.[1] Safran would provide terminal-guidance sensors.[1] ## Sources 1. Defense News: MBDA plans to fly 'fat' hypersonic interceptor demonstrator before end-2029