Inside MBDA’s STRATUS Missile Programme: STRATUS LO (TP15) & STRATUS RS (RJ10)

STRATUS is the newly unveiled name for the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program developed by MBDA, a leading European missile systems company. The program introduces two distinct missile designs: STRATUS LO (Low Observable), formerly known as TP15, and STRATUS RS (Rapid Strike), previously referred to as RJ10. Each missile has been engineered to fulfill a wide range of operational roles, including deep strike missions, anti-ship engagements, and the suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses. These capabilities position STRATUS as a versatile and formidable asset in modern warfare.

Photo: MBDA

Designed for multi-domain deployment, both missile variants can be launched from air, sea, and land platforms. Their advanced features include high-speed performance, agile maneuverability, and stealth characteristics that allow them to operate effectively in denied areas—regions heavily defended or inaccessible to conventional forces. This adaptability ensures that STRATUS can penetrate sophisticated defense systems and neutralize high-value targets with precision.

STRATUS LO, previously designated as TP15, is a subsonic, turbojet-powered missile designed with stealth as a core feature. Its architecture emphasizes low observability, drawing inspiration from systems like SCALP and Exocet, but with enhanced capabilities for modern combat environments. The missile’s primary mission is to strike hardened ground targets such as military depots and reinforced concrete facilities, while retaining a secondary role in anti-ship operations.

Measuring approximately five meters in length, STRATUS LO has already reached the prototype stage, signaling tangible progress in its development cycle. The missile incorporates a next-generation infrared seeker, enabling precise target acquisition even in complex and cluttered environments. This advanced seeker enhances its effectiveness against static and mobile targets, particularly in denied or contested zones.

The propulsion system of STRATUS LO is a collaborative achievement between Rolls Royce and Safran, two of Europe’s leading aerospace engine manufacturers. Their joint effort has produced a turbojet engine optimized for stealth and endurance, allowing the missile to maintain low-altitude flight profiles while evading radar detection. Rigorous testing has been conducted to evaluate its radio frequency (RF) signature, ensuring minimal exposure to enemy tracking systems.

Complementing STRATUS LO is the STRATUS RS missile, formerly known as RJ10, which operates at supersonic speeds using a ramjet propulsion system. This variant is engineered for high maneuverability and rapid engagement, making it ideal for maritime strike missions and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD). It is also capable of targeting high-value airborne assets such as AWACS and aerial refueling tankers, disrupting enemy command and logistics networks.

STRATUS RS features a new-generation RF seeker developed jointly by Thales and MBDA UK, offering superior tracking and discrimination capabilities. This seeker allows the missile to engage fast-moving or evasive targets with high precision, even in electronically contested environments. The ramjet engine itself has undergone extensive testing at MBDA’s Bourges facility, validating its performance under extreme operational conditions.

Both missile variants are designed for deployment across multiple platforms, enhancing their strategic flexibility. They will be integrated into naval vessels such as the FREMM frigates and the British Type 26, as well as fighter aircraft including the Typhoon and Rafale. Future compatibility is also being considered for sixth-generation combat aircraft under the GCAP and FCAS programs, ensuring long-term relevance.

At the Paris Air Show 2025, STRATUS made a striking debut with live demonstrations showcasing its launch configurations. The TP15 was presented in a vertical launch from the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System aboard the Type 26 frigate, highlighting its adaptability to existing naval infrastructure. Meanwhile, the RJ10 was shown launching from a canister system on a FREMM frigate, emphasizing its rapid deployment capability and operational readiness.

These demonstrations not only underscored the technological maturity of the STRATUS program but also reinforced its role as a cornerstone of European defense modernization. By integrating stealth, speed, and multi-platform versatility, STRATUS offers a comprehensive solution to emerging threats across land, sea, and air domains. Its development reflects a strategic vision rooted in collaboration, innovation, and resilience.

The development of STRATUS is the result of a close trilateral collaboration between France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. More than 750 engineers are actively involved in the program, pooling expertise from across the continent to create a unified and cutting-edge solution for future combat scenarios. This cooperative effort reflects a shared commitment to strengthening European defense autonomy and technological leadership.

Having successfully completed its assessment phase, the STRATUS program has now entered full-scale development. This transition marks a significant milestone, indicating that the project has met rigorous technical and strategic benchmarks and is ready for further refinement and integration. The move into development also underscores the urgency and importance of equipping European forces with advanced missile systems capable of countering evolving threats.

By Trap of War Staff