A European defense technology organization has kicked off a €110 million ($116 million) three-year study to define the concept of a hypersonic missile interceptor proposed by a 13-member consortium led by Spanish Missile Systems (SMS).

A contract signing on Oct. 31 by Europe’s Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation launches the SMS-led Hypersonic Defense Interceptor (HYDEF) study, which includes a proposed interceptor from Diehl Defense.

The HYDEF system will compete with another project led by MBDA—the Hypersonic Defense Interceptor Study (HYDIS2)—to form the kinetic component of Europe’s proposed Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based Theater (TWISTER). The latter includes a space-based warning and tracking system, which would be networked with the interceptor batteries developed by either the HYDEF or HYDIS2.

SMS is itself a consortium formed in 2021 by Spanish companies Sener, GMV and Escribano M&E. SMS is responsible for managing the HYDEF project, while Germany’s Diehl leads the technical implementation of the interceptor.

The goal of the project is to create a European capability to shoot down hypersonic cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles with an endo-atmospheric interceptor.

A concept image released by the HYDEF consortium shows a powered interceptor that includes an advanced divert and attitude control system.