Air Power 2017

21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS AIR POWER 2017 111

21 ST CENTURY CAPABILITIES

of further Brimstones with the dual-mode seeker, as
well as an upgrade for the seeker itself. Having proven
its value on operations, the MOD decided to bring
the dual-mode capability into its core equipment
programme and convert single-mode Brimstones to
the new dual-mode seeker. At the same time, the RAF
opted to increase Brimstone’s performance envelope
and replace the existing warhead and rocket motor
with insensitive munition (IM)-compliant versions. This
latest version of Brimstone entered service in May 2016.

Brimstone’s spiral upgrade history has seen the
missile continually evolve in response to operational
needs. A Capability Sustainment Programme is planned
for Brimstone that will see the production of new-build
Brimstones to replenish RAF stocks and support export
needs. The new-build missiles will include all of the
enhancements introduced under the Brimstone spiral
upgrade programme. In addition, these new Brimstones
will see the areas as yet untouched by the spiral
upgrade, such as the missile’s Central Processing Unit
(CPU), updated. These updates will provide some natural
performance enhancements and will future-proof the
missile so it is ready for the next round of capability
upgrade programmes. The future spiral upgrade
programme sees Brimstone set to remain in service until
beyond 2040, and will support the missile’s use from
platforms such as Apache, Protector and Typhoon.
The need for greater range and capability in
the air-to-ground mission has been recognised for
a number of years. Most direct-fire weapons have
relatively short range and the array of glide bomb
weapons are not providing adequate time to target,
time on target and end-game performance capabilities

• let alone the range – needed to defeat existing and
  emerging ground-based air defence systems. For
  this reason, there is significant focus on developing
  systems that can defeat the increasing threats.
  MBDA’s SPEAR air-to-ground precision strike
  weapon will meet this growing operational demand.
  Utilising and building on the best key technologies
  from the combat-proven Brimstone weapon, SPEAR
  is being developed to meet the requirements for
  a multiple load-out missile system for operation
  from fixed-wing aircraft. Initially, the weapon will be
  deployed on the RAF and Royal Navy F-35 fleet.

For F-35, the weapon will be mounted on a

launcher that will enable four munitions to be carried

in each bay alongside another weapon such as Meteor.

SPEAR is equipped with a multi-spectral seeker, linked

with a multiple-effects warhead. Where SPEAR differs

from glide weapons is that MBDA has equipped SPEAR

with a small turbojet motor, along with its sophisticated

guidance system, wing kit and actuators. The turbojet

is a key benefit, providing the warfighter with

significant advantages when deploying the weapon.

EX TERNAL FAC TORS

The weaknesses of glide weapons are that they tend

to be operated in near line of sight and any deviation/

off-boresight launch reduces their range. Additionally,

as glide bombs are unpowered, any adverse wind or

weather conditions also dramatically reduce their range.

Their lower speed, agility and range rapidly reduces the

realistic engagement options for the pilot. Time-critical

targets also become a challenge for glide weapons

• they are often simply too slow to meet the needs
  of the modern battlefield. SPEAR’s range capability in
  any weather conditions is unmatched, as is its seeker
  accuracy and performance against moving targets.
  In the spring of 2016, a SPEAR missile was launched
  from a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The aircraft was
  flown to the QinetiQ range at Aberporth, where
  SPEAR was successfully deployed. SPEAR is carried
  upside down, so at launch the missile must turn
  over, then deploy its wings, start the jet engine and
  then navigate a course to target. All these operations
  were successfully demonstrated during the trial.
  SPEAR will be available for integration on
  to fast jets in the early part of the 2020s.

Brimstone’s spiral upgrade

history has seen the missile

continually evolve in response

to operational needs

SPEAR will achieve

greater range and

speed compared

to existing glide

munitions, thanks

to its turbojet

(IMAGE: MBDA)