Doc Summary
STRATUS missiles are a family of next-generation European cruise and anti-ship weapons developed by MBDA, comprising a stealthy subsonic low-observable variant (STRATUS LO) and a supersonic rapid-strike variant (STRATUS RS).
Selectable Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) Capability 5 #
The UK The Selectable Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) programme was in the concept phase by 2005, although internal work had started before that, as a means of defining a number of air-launched weapons as part of the Complex Weapons portfolio.
They were all to be air-launched stand-off weapons that could be used against a wide range of stationery and fast-moving targets day or night, and with the ability to defeat countermeasures.
It was defined as;
Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) is the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) research and development request for highly accurate, beyond visual range re-targetable weapons which can receive target information updates over a data-link (network) in near real-time as part of the UK’s Network Enabled Capability (NEC)
SPEAR has been split into several capability numbers that have evolved since then.
SPEAR Capability 5 was initially defined as a longer-range replacement for Storm Shadow for Typhoon and the F-35B.
Some initial concept work was completed in 2005 but, the majority of the complex weapons team were concentrated on the other SPEAR components (Storm Shadow midlife extension, Brimstone and SPEAR Cap 3)
From 2010, the MoD and DGA recognised that there was likely to be a convergence of requirements and started to explore how requirements could be harmonised.
As part of the 2010 Lancaster House Agreement between the UK and France, they agreed to a ten-year strategic plan for the UK and French missile sector.
This plan included a midlife upgrade/renovation of Storm Shadow/Scalp and ASTER missiles, what would become Sea Venom and a concept study what would go on to become for FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon).
In 2011, and as part of their wider Concept Visions programme, MBDA released marketing materials that described a future product called CVS401 Perseus.
The advanced, supersonic, agile and stealthy airframe is powered by a revolutionary ramjet motor built around a highly compact Continuous Detonation Wave Engine making it an unrivalled penetrator of defences. Perseus is a perfect weapon against fast relocatable targets when combined with the advanced dual mode sensor package.
The design was for a 5m long missile that weighed less than 800 kg, and had a range of 300 km.
It was a high supersonic missile, Mach 3+, and included two independently guided effectors ejected from the payload module.
A third warhead remained on-board for a dispersed lethal effect on multi-elements targets such as a large warship or a ground-based missile system.
Although not directly linked to SPEAR Cap 5, many observed that it could be used to inform the requirement.
At the 2012 Lancaster House Summit, an initial study contract was awarded to MBDA to explore the joint requirements and establish whether a common concept approach could be developed, whilst maintaining operational sovereignty and generating prosperity for both nations.
The UK/France Defence and Security Summit in 2014 resulted in several decisions, including this one on Storm Shadow/SCALP.
Progress has also been made on the SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow refurbishment and upgrade programme where both governments have agreed to share data associated with national concept and assessment phase programmes. We aim to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding for staffing by early summer 2014.
Looking further ahead, we continue to work to progress the joint concept study assessing possible solutions to meet our long-term requirements to replace Harpoon, Exocet, and Storm Shadow/SCALP.
The concept study is due to be completed later this summer
This new missile is notionally designed to meet the SPEAR Cap 5 requirement, intended to be in service between 2030 and 2035.
Later in 2014, further details emerged as the preliminary concept study concluded.
FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon) #
The FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon) emerged as a joint UK French development programme in 2016 to develop a replacement for a number of air and surface launched weapons in 2016.
In UK Service, FC/ASW will replace Storm Shadow and Harpoon Block 1C (which has been replaced as an interim measure by the Interim Surface to-Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW), met by the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile)
It is also, the French FMAN/FMC (Futur missile anti-navire/Futur missile de croisière), that is intended to replace Scalp (Storm Shadow) and Exocet.
Janes confirmed the name of the joint UK/France missile would be Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) / Futur Missile Antinavire/Futur Missile de Croisière (FMAN/FMC).
MBDA subsequently reported a successful design review for the Anglo-French FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon)
The conclusion of this Key Review makes it possible to select the most promising missile concepts in order to meet the requirements expressed by both nations’ armed forces. More in-depth studies will now be conducted on these concepts with the aim of identifying the solutions that will be selected at the end of the concept phase in 2020 in order to answer both nations’ requirements for long range anti-ship missions, suppression of enemy air defences and deep strike.
The conclusions of this study will also make it possible to establish the road maps for maturing the technologies required, and to launch any follow on assessment phase. This new phase will demonstrate the necessary maturity of the weapon system and its key components, to be followed by the development and production phase in the 2024 timeframe, so that current weapons systems can be replaced in accordance with required timescales.
Both nations confirmed their intent to proceed at the Amiens summit in March 2016
Whilst both national timetables converged completely for the deep strike requirement, both SCALP and Storm Shadow were planned to be out of service in the same timeframe, there was a divergence for the anti ship requirement. With the Harpoon planned to leave Royal Navy service before Exocet left the Marine National.
The Out of Service Date (OSD) for Harpoon was planned to be 2018, the In-Service Support contract with Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd ran to November 2018.
The MoD progressed plans for Harpoon replacement with an interim capability called Interim Surface to Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW), that would ultimately be fulfilled by the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile under the Maritime Offensive Strike System (MOSS) programme.
A three year €100m contract for further concept development of FC/ASW was awarded to MBDA in March 2017, but the UK and France contributing 50% each.
July 2021 confirmed the planning assumption for FCASW in-service dates
The Planning Assumption for Service Entry for Future Cruise /Anti-Ship Weapon on the T26 Frigate and Typhoon aircraft is 2028 and 2030 respectively.
FC/ASW was to meet three distinct requirements:
- Anti-ship strikes;
- Elimination of enemy air defences
- Deep strikes against critical targets
FC/ASW evolved along two paths, with two missiles being developed.
Although there will be a high degree of commonality, one will be optimised for high speed, and the other for low observability.
Further development work was announced in February 2022
The two missile approach was formerly confirmed by these announcements.
In November 2022, Kongsberg and the MoD confirmed the selection of the Naval Strike Missile for both Type 23 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers. Worth noting that the requirement name for the Royal Navy FC/ASW is Future Offensive Support Weapon (FOSW)
Italy joined the FC/ASW programme in 2023, signing a letter of intent, followed by additional funding the year after.
It was speculated the UK would favour the stealth variant, and France, the high-speed variant, although this was not officially confirmed.
A 2024 Parliamentary Answer confirmed the current status of FC/ASW.
The Future Cruise / Anti-Ship weapon programme is in the third year of the assessment phase and joint Anglo-France work is designing novel technological advances in missile capability. Significant progress has been made on suitable candidate weapon systems to fulfil the Naval and Air requirements.
At this stage of the programme, work is focused on reducing technical and schedule risk, prior to the potential Demonstration and Manufacturing phases, and preparations are underway to prepare towards Full Business Case. Additionally, progress is also being made to explore bringing Italy on board as a partner nation, with a Letter of Intent signed in June 2023.
The planning assumption for service entry for the maritime-launched Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon is 2028; a decision around which options, including off the shelf choices, should fulfil this requirement is ongoing, and will be confirmed in due course in the Full Business Case
Work continued, interestingly from above, ‘off the shelf’ options remained on the table.
The Planning Assumption for Service Entry for Future Cruise /Anti-Ship Weapon on the T26/T31 Frigate and Typhoon aircraft is 2028 and 2030 respectively.
It was reported by Janes in November 2024 that key assessment phase activities had been completed.
Presenting an update at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, held from 4 to 7 November, MBDA officials disclosed that the subsonic, ultra-low observable FC/ASW variant, known as TP15, had been the subject of radio frequency (RF) signature testing, while the ramjet propulsion system for the high-speed RJ10 version has completed wind tunnel tests. The company also disclosed that FC/ASW was now being groomed for high-value airborne asset (HVAA) interdiction alongside land attack, anti-ship, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD).
This reporting also pointed out that FCASW was likely to be used for a wider mission set than originally required.
STRATUS #
The STRATUS missiles received their name on September 10, 2025, when the European missile systems company MBDA rebranded the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program at the DSEI exhibition in London.
STRATUS Capabilities #
FC/ASW currently remains subject to a great deal of speculation, with little or no confirmed details.
We do know there are two versions.
STRATUS Low Observable (LO), formerly TP15: Low observable high subsonic variant focussed on defeating advanced enemy air defences and hardened critical targets, that the UK is leading on.
STRATUS Rapid Strike (RS), formerly RJ10: High supersonic anti shipping and enemy air defence version that France is leading on.
Both are intended for air and VLS launch from naval vessels.
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