Destinus introduces next-gen cruise missile and interceptor

Destinus, a European aerospace and defense company, announced the updated versions of its modular precision-strike weapons and interceptor systems, releasing new details on the Ruta Block2 cruise missile, the Vector Vista Block2 navigation system and the Hornet Block2 quick-response interceptor.

The company published technical descriptions of the upgraded systems on its website.

According to Destinus, the Ruta Block2 is an autonomous cruise missile designed for strikes against stationary high-value targets. The company said the missile uses a booster-assisted canister launch and low-altitude flight profile supported by an AI multimode guidance suite and anti-jam package. Destinus stated that these features allow the missile to conduct precise attacks even inside layered air-defense zones. The system is built for scalable production and compatibility with allied launchers, as well as C2 and AI-swarm architectures.

The new version differs from the earlier generation in several core design areas. The updated approach prioritizes reduced radar and infrared visibility, giving the missile a lower observable profile.

The wing system was redesigned with concealed mechanisms that deploy after launch, allowing the missile to be transported in sealed canisters or carried safely under aircraft wings. These changes are part of an effort to simplify deployment, expand platform compatibility and support high-volume production.

The company also introduced the Vector Vista Block2, a navigation and targeting system developed for operations in environments where GNSS signals are denied or heavily degraded. Destinus stated that the system provides position and orientation information at all times using visual data in daylight and infrared imagery at night. The system supports high-speed, low-altitude flight with an ultra-fast refresh rate and is designed for flexible integration across unmanned and fixed-wing platforms.

According to the published specifications, the Vector Vista Block2 weighs under 250 grams including the antenna, with a position accuracy of two meters. The main system measures 90 by 60 by 30 millimeters, and the camera module measures 39 by 39 by 27 millimeters. Destinus listed its intended applications as multirotor drones, fixed-wing UAVs and hybrid or VTOL platforms.

Destinus also detailed the Hornet Block2, a next-generation electrically powered interceptor designed for rapid response against a range of airborne threats. The company said the interceptor is launched from sealed canisters using a booster, with foldable wings that allow dense loadouts on ground vehicles, fixed installations and naval platforms. The system is intended to fill the gap between very-short-range and short- or medium-range air defense requirements.

As noted by the company, the Hornet Block2 is engineered to counter kamikaze drones, ISR UAVs, loitering munitions, unguided missiles and helicopters. Destinus stated that the interceptor uses an AI-enabled guidance and networking suite that supports swarm engagements and dynamic target allocation. The system can integrate with existing ground-based air defense sensors and C2 networks. A visual navigation module and resilient datalinks maintain control and guidance under heavy jamming or spoofing, according to the company.

The three updated systems reflect Destinus’s advancement in precision weapons, autonomous guidance and rapid-response air-defense technology. The company framed the upgrades as part of its broader effort to provide modular, low-cost systems designed for scalable production and integration across multiple allied platforms.