KEY INTELLIGENCE TAKEAWAYS & SUMMARY

• Within the FC/ASW program of the France-UK alliance, MBDA is developing the Stratus RS (Rapid Strike) high-speed strike missile.
• The new missile will operate at high supersonic speeds, surpassing the operational range of current Exocet MM40 missiles.
• Stratus RS will be integrated with Rafale and Typhoon combat aircraft, as well as FREMM, Type 26, and Amiral Ronarc'h class frigates.
• The project will move into a critical engineering phase with the final development contract expected from the French Directorate for Armament (DGA).