MBDA Conducts Successful Launch Tests of CROSSBOW Missile Developed for Ukraine

MBDA has reported the successful launch tests of the CROSSBOW cruise missile developed under the Project Brakestop program. The program aims to create low-cost missiles for Ukraine without U.S. components.

MBDA published video footage of the successful tests.

Although the missile was tested between December 2025 and February 2026, the results have only now been disclosed. This indicates that only nine months elapsed from the start of development to the first flight tests.

According to MBDA, CROSSBOW was developed in cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises and major defense companies in the UK and Europe. The system has a modular design and uses commercially and militarily available subsystems.

The company stated it is capable of beginning and rapidly scaling up production of the new missile as early as 2026.

The CROSSBOW missile is 5.3 meters long with a 3-meter wingspan. It will carry a warhead or other payload weighing about 300 kg.

The missile is designed to fly at high subsonic speed and can strike stationary targets at ranges exceeding 800 km deep behind enemy lines.

The system is designed to operate in high-intensity conflict environments, including complex electromagnetic conditions.

Project Brakestop

Project Brakestop is a UK Ministry of Defence program aimed at developing low-cost, mass-produced long-range cruise missiles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The main objective of the program is to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles that do not contain U.S. components and do not rely on U.S. mapping or navigation data. This removes potential restrictions on strikes against military targets deep inside the Russian Federation.

The UK Ministry of Defence requirements call for the production of around 20 units per month, with an estimated cost of about €475,000 per missile without a warhead.

Three British companies are participating in the program: MBDA UK with the Crossbow missile, MGI Engineering with the SkyLance system, and Rotron Aerospace with the Tiger Shark system. According to the plan, after additional tests this year, at least one system is expected to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2026.