Following the completion of the assessment, MBDA’s multi-national STRATUS cruise missile programme with two missiles is moving towards the development phase.
STRATUS (Formerly FC/ASW) programme, spearheaded by the UK, France, and Italy, is moving into action with the wrap-up for assessment work and development to begin imminently, as reported by Naval News.
The programme aims to replace various deck-launched anti-ship missiles and the SCALP EG/Storm Shadow cruise missile with two distinct cruise missiles dubbed STRATUS LO and STRATUS RS.
STRATUS LO is a subsonic cruise missile with refined low observability and long range, primarily intended as a land attack weapon. SEAD/DEAD and anti-surface warfare will still be possible. The spiritual successor of SCALP EG/Storm Shadow is being developed with both air and surface launch in mind, the latter creditable to the UK’s plans for its new frigates. The three participating countries of the STRATUS programme have guaranteed their acquisition of STRATUS LO.
STRATUS RS is being developed as a ramjet-powered supersonic anti-ship missile with a secondary capability to target enemy radars and AWACS using passive RF sensors. So far, France has been the only country in the consortium to have plans to acquire STRATUS RS.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
