Europe-based ArianeGroup has unveiled a new family of strike weapons with ballistic and hypersonic delivery vehicles. The team behind the strike weapons includes Soframe and Thales, which are also developing the X-Fire rocket system.
The B-Strike weapon will come in two variants, one capable of hitting targets up to 621 miles (1,000 kilometers), and the other an extended-range version with a range of 1,553 miles (2,500 km). The missile family was unveiled at Eurosatory 2026.
ArianeGroup says that its work on the B-Strike line-up is based on the learning drawn through strategic programs such as the French M51 ballistic missile. The long-range strike capabilities will be designed to address a range of requirements, from tactical to pre-strategic roles.
The ballistic missiles aim to provide Europe with indigenous deep-strike capabilities that can foil advanced defenses and engage targets from an extended range. Reports state that both versions of the missile would include maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRVs).
Moreover, the 1,553-mile-range variant could also incorporate hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) that can enhance the survivability of the weapon against modern air defense systems. Although yet to be tested, the preliminary figures state that the 621-mile-range version would have a flight time of less than 10 minutes, and it will be approximately 15 minutes for the other.
The company says that both missiles could be deployed by the X-Fire launcher. Soframe developed the X-Fire launcher in partnership with Thales; it is mounted on the proven Daimler Truck Zetros platform.
The two missiles will complement the FLP-t 150, a 93-mile (150 kilometers) range munition, which ArianeGroup has developed with Thales. The 93-mile-range missile system is designed to meet the requirements of the French forces for high-intensity combat.
According to reports, the companies are ready to move quickly into the testing phase. They are pitching the missile to the French procurement agency, the DGA, to start the program.
In May 2026, Thales and ArianeGroup successfully conducted the first firing of the new ballistic munition FLP-t 150. It had been carried out with support from the Missile Testing Division of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA EM) at the Ile du Levant test site.
While Thales was responsible for the overall system, including the ground launcher, fire control, and launch system, ArianeGroup developed the propulsion and guidance systems for the munition.
The missile has the ability to reach supersonic speeds, and its propulsion, guidance, and control are derived from ballistic missile systems.
Moreover, ArianeGroup is also the prime industrial contractor for the M51 intercontinental ballistic missile system on behalf of the French DGA for the French Navy. The M51 is a sea–surface submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a length of 39 feet (12 meters) and a weight of over 55 tons (50 metric tons).
The missile can be launched from a submerged French nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). It reaches a top speed of Mach 20 upon re-entering the atmosphere and serves as the naval pillar of France’s nuclear deterrent force.
Abhishek brings a wealth of experience in covering diverse stories across different beats. Having contributed to renowned wire agencies and Indian media outlets like ANI and NDTV, he is keenly interested in Tech, Business and Defense coverage.
此内容由惯性聚合(RSS阅读器)自动聚合整理，仅供阅读参考。 原文来自 — 版权归原作者所有。