Storm Shadow Missile

Manufacturer: MBDA
Category: Missiles & Precision Weapons
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Guidance System INS, GPS, Terrain Reference Navigation (TRN), Imaging Infrared (IIR) Terminal Seeker
Maximum Speed Approximately Mach 0.8
Launch Compatibility Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado GR4, Rafale, Mirage 2000D, Su-24 (modified)
Warhead Technology BROACH Two Stage Penetrating Blast Fragmentation Warhead

Full Specifications

1. General Information

Name / Designation	Storm Shadow (SCALP EG in French service)
Type / Role	Air Launched Long Range Precision Cruise Missile
Country of Origin	United Kingdom / France
Manufacturer	MBDA
Service Entry / Year Introduced	2003
Operational Status	Active

2. Performance & Range

Range	Officially over 250 km, estimated over 560 km for some variants
Speed	High Subsonic, approximately Mach 0.8
Ceiling / Altitude Limit	Very Low Altitude Terrain Following Flight
Accuracy (CEP)	Estimated under 3 meters
Warhead Type	BROACH Dual Stage Penetrating High Explosive

3. Guidance & Targeting

Guidance System	INS, GPS, Terrain Reference Navigation, Imaging Infrared
Targeting Mode	Fire and Forget
Launch Platform Compatibility	Fighter Aircraft
Seeker Type	Imaging Infrared (IIR)

4. Physical Characteristics

Length	5.10 m
Diameter	0.48 m
Wingspan	3.00 m
Launch Weight	Approximately 1,300 kg
Propulsion	Microturbo TRI 60-30 Turbojet

5. Warhead & Payload

Warhead Weight	Approximately 450 kg
Explosive Type	BROACH Penetrating Blast Fragmentation
Detonation Mechanism	Programmable Delay and Impact Fuze
Payload Options	Conventional Penetrating Warhead

6. Operational Use & Capabilities

Operational Range Type	Long
Deployment Platform	Air
Target Types	Bunkers, Command Centers, Bridges, Air Bases, Infrastructure
Combat Proven	Yes
Users / Operators	United Kingdom, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Greece, Ukraine

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

8.3

Technology 9 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Maintenance Efficiency 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10

PROS

Long stand off strike capability.
Highly accurate against hardened targets.
Advanced low observable flight profile.
Combat proven in multiple military operations.
Fire and forget guidance reduces pilot workload.

CONS

Designed mainly for fixed targets.
High procurement cost.
Large size limits aircraft compatibility.
Subsonic speed makes interception possible by advanced air defenses.
Requires detailed mission planning before launch.

Storm Shadow Cruise Missile

The Storm Shadow is a long range, air launched, precision cruise missile designed to strike high value and heavily defended fixed targets with minimal exposure of the launch aircraft. Developed by MBDA for the United Kingdom, France (where it is known as SCALP EG), and other allied nations, the missile has been used in multiple combat operations, demonstrating its ability to engage hardened military infrastructure with high accuracy.

Storm Shadow follows a low altitude terrain hugging flight profile using advanced navigation systems to reduce the chance of detection. Its BROACH dual stage warhead is specifically engineered to penetrate reinforced bunkers before detonation. The missile has been integrated on several Western fighter aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado GR4, Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000D, and Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft modified by Ukraine.

Manufacturer

Storm Shadow is manufactured by MBDA, a European missile systems company jointly owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Development began during the 1990s to provide NATO air forces with a precision stand off strike capability.

Speed

Storm Shadow flies at high subsonic speed (approximately Mach 0.8) while maintaining an extremely low flight profile using terrain following navigation.

Range

The export version is officially rated at more than 250 km, while many defense sources estimate operational variants can exceed 560 km, depending on the customer and configuration.

Cost / Price

The estimated unit cost is approximately US$1 million to US$1.3 million, depending on production batch, configuration, and procurement contract.

Storm Shadow combines GPS, inertial navigation, terrain reference navigation, and an imaging infrared seeker to accurately identify and strike preprogrammed targets. It is intended primarily for destroying command centers, air bases, bridges, ammunition depots, hardened bunkers, and other strategic infrastructure while allowing launch aircraft to remain outside many enemy air defense zones.

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