In Bonn, Germany, an agreement was signed between OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) and Sistemas de Misiles de España (SMS) to launch the first European programme for defence against threats moving at hypersonic speeds, HYDEF (Hypersonic Defence Interceptor Study). The consortium involves 14 institutions from seven European countries, including a Polish research institute: Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation (ILot).

The consortium will develop innovative, integrated and internationally competitive supply chains to support interoperability and standardisation of new air defence capabilities.

“The Institute of Aeronautics provides an important role in this endeavour, contributing its many years of experience in aerodynamics and propulsion technologies. We have an extremely challenging road ahead of us, but I am convinced that once we have passed it, Europe will become a much safer place”, said Przemysław Drężek, R&D manager of the project at Łukasiewicz – ILot.