Fulgur (missile)
| Fulgur | |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-portable air-defense system |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | Planned for early 2028 |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | |
| Designed | Since 2023 |
| Manufacturer | MBDA Italy |
| Produced | From 2026 |
| No. built | Production capacity > 1,000 per year[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 10 kg (22 lb) (missile)[2] |
| Length | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) |
| Diameter | 70 mm (2.8 in) (missile) |
| Effective firing range | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Engine | Rocket engine by AvioAero |
| Maximum speed | Supersonic |
Guidance system |
|
Steering system | Canards |
Launch platform |
|
The Fulgur is a very short-range air defence system developed by MBDA for the Italian Army.[3]
Origins
The FIM-92 Stinger was approaching the end of its service life in the Italian Armed Forces in the early 2020s. Italy was considering a successor. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine (full scale 2022), with the multiplication of aerial threats with several types of drones, Italy considered that a large quantity of systems was necessary, and launched a programme in collaboration with MBDA.[4]
Programme history
Project unveiled
In 2024, at the Farnborough Air Show, MBDA unveiled a new MANPADS, a programme that was called "VSHORAD" (very short range air defence). A mock-up of the missile was presented with the following description:[5]
- Supersonic missile
- Fire-and-forget interceptor
- Sophisticated seeker featuring image processing capabilities
- Targets:
- Fighters
- Helicopters
- Small drones
- To be integrated on current and future vehicles, with automated turrets (a Leonardo turret for the VLTM 2)
- Light and suitable for amphibious and paratrooper troops
Development contract
At the Paris Air Show in June 2025, MBDA and the Italian Army signed a contract for its development. The missile's name ("Fulgur") was unveiled. And additional characteristics were unveiled. A goal for its introduction was set for early 2028. And additional characteristics were unveiled:[6]
- All-weather capabilities
- Integration to the SkyWarden C-UAS system.
Design and production
There is an expected production capacity of at least 1,000 missiles per year.[7]
The supply chain and assembly are expected to be done in the following way:
- The rocket engine will be supplied by AvioAero.
- The seekerwill be designed and produced by MBDA Italy at the Fusaro facility.
- The warhead is to be supplied by a third party. If the supplier is European, TDW and Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland could be selected.
- The assembly will be made in house, but the facility has yet to be selected.
Variants
Planned variants
Two variants have yet been mentioned by MBDA and the Italian Army:
Potential variants
- Discussions to integrate the missile on the attack helicopter AW249 Fenice.[7]
Operators
Future operators
References
- ^ "PAS 2025 – MBDA details its new VSHORAD missile named Fulgur". EDR. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "PAS 2025 – MBDA details its new VSHORAD missile named Fulgur". EDR. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "MBDA awarded contract to develop FULGUR very short-range missile for the Italian Army | MBDA". www.mbda-systems.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ staff, EDR On-Line editorial (2023-03-27). "Italy looks for a Stinger replacement assigning a preliminary study to MBDA Italia". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b c Jones, Colton (2024-07-22). "MBDA debuts new VSHORAD system at Farnborough Airshow". defence-blog.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b c "MBDA awarded contract to develop FULGUR very short-range missile for the Italian Army | MBDA". www.mbda-systems.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ a b Valpolini, Paolo (2025-06-17). "PAS 2025 - MBDA details its new VSHORAD missile named Fulgur". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-17.