What warhead does the Storm Shadow missile carry?

The Storm Shadow missile is equipped with a dual charge high explosive (HE) warhead. This type of warhead combines two explosive charges: the first charge is designed to penetrate defenses, and the second charge is meant to detonate after penetration, maximizing destruction against hardened targets such as bunkers or fortified structures. The dual charge design effectively enhances the missile's capability to destroy well-protected enemy assets, making it particularly versatile in modern warfare scenarios.

In contrast, a standard high explosive warhead would lack the penetration capability of a dual charge design, and a thermobaric warhead utilizes a different mechanism, relying on oxygen from the surrounding air to enhance the explosive effect, which is not the purpose of the Storm Shadow’s warhead. A nuclear option is certainly outside the operational parameters of this missile, as it is specifically designed for precision strikes with conventional explosives, rather than nuclear ordnance. Therefore, the dual charge HE warhead is the most suitable choice for the Storm Shadow missile's role and design intentions.