DELUGE

A new capability tailored to face evolving threats

Current operational realities have revealed that, alongside high-end and complex systems, armed forces also require low cost capabilities able to overwhelm and saturate enemy defences. The density and layering of air defence systems demand solutions that can be deployed in large numbers at a controlled cost, while maintaining sufficient range and precision.

To address this requirement and provide sovereign capabilities aligned with current threat evolutions, MBDA has launched the development of the DELUGE (ex ONE WAY EFFECTOR). Designed from the outset for large-scale production, DELUGE enables armed forces to generate saturation effects against defended targets and air defence systems, applying sustained pressure on enemy air defences. As a cost-effective munition of attrition, DELUGE complements higher-end effectors by increasing pressure on adversary systems and contributes to strengthening operational superiority.

A cost-effective long-range munition designed for mass raid's

DELUGE’s aerodynamic profile and mid-altitude flight path combine robustness and operational effectiveness. It features a wingspan of three metres and carries a 50 kg class payload. Propelled by a turbojet engine, it reaches a speed of approximately 400 km/h and offers a range of up to 500 km.  

Launched in coordinated salvoes, DELUGE is designed to generate continuous engagement and sustained pressure on adversary air defence systems. Fired from the ground, it supports standoff operations while enabling massified strikes at long range. Its navigation architecture ensures autonomous flight and precise strikes on predefined coordinates, making it a reliable solution for sustained saturation attacks, even in a context of high-intensity conflicts.

From industrial agility to operational superiority

The DELUGE programme illustrates MBDA’s ability to innovate and deliver new capabilities within compressed timelines. From the first prototype flight in September 2025 to the initial live firing test in November 2025, major milestones were achieved within just a few months. This rapid development led to the signature of a first contract with the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA), opening the path towards production . 

Developed using an innovative industrial model and partnerships with civilian industries, notably the mass production sector, DELUGE is designed to be manufactured at high rates. This agility will allow rapid integration into operational units, with the first production batch for DGA in 2027. This capability illustrates MBDA’s ability to rapidly adapt to evolving theatres of operation. With DELUGE, MBDA completes its portfolio of sovereign capabilities aimed at protecting armed forces in an increasingly unstable environment.