SPEAR 3
SPEAR 3 | |
---|---|
Type | Air-to-surface missile |
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Service history | |
Used by | Royal Air Force |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | MBDA (UK) Ltd, Henlow |
Specifications | |
Weight | < 220 lb (100 kg) |
Length | 71 in (1,800 mm) |
Diameter | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| |
Engine | Turbojet engine[1] |
Operational range | 60 mi (97 km) [2][3][4] |
Steering system | Flight control surfaces |
Launch platform |
Typhoon (planned) F-35B (planned) |
The Select Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) Capability 3 is a future British air-to-ground, possibly anti-tank, anti-structure, and anti-ship missile.[5][6]
Background
MBDA was awarded an Assessment Phase contract for SPEAR 3, a standoff attack weapon that would replace Brimstone 2 (SPEAR Cap 2).[7] This is specified to have a range of at least 100 km, however the UK MoD and MBDA believe that they can achieve over 120 km (62+nm).[8][N 1] The weapon will make substantial reuse of Brimstone modules. The 2 m (6.6 ft) weapon will fly at high-subsonic speed using a turbojet and wing kit,[9] and will feature a multimode seeker with INS/GPS guidance and datalink.[9] The assessment phase concluded with flight trials in 2014[9] on Typhoon.[10] The missile is set to use the same Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet as the JSOW-ER.[8][N 2] MBDA has shown artwork of a four-missile launcher on a single Typhoon weapon station,[9] and four will fit with a Meteor air-to-air missile in each internal weapons bay of the F-35B.[9] In May 2016, the MOD awarded a £411 million contract to MBDA for the development of the air-launched SPEAR 3 missile specifically for the UK's F-35B fighters.[11] SPEAR 3 however, will only be integrated on the Block 4 software package of the F-35B.[12]
Trials
In March 2016, a SPEAR trials missile was launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon trials aircraft operated by BAE Systems at the QinetiQ Aberporth range in Wales. The missile transitioned through separation from the Typhoon aircraft to powered flight before completing a series of manoeuvres, ending in a terminal dive to the desired point of impact. The missile accurately followed the planned trajectory and was well within simulation predictions; all trial objectives were achieved.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ "High Performance Propulsion for Tactical Missiles and UAV's" (PDF). Whitney AeroPower. 19 May 2016.
- ↑ "UK MoD funds further development of Spear 3 missile". Flight Global. 18 May 2016.
- ↑ "MBDA SPEAR 3 missile would bring true anti-ship capabilities to RAF and FAA F-35s". Naval Recognition. 22 July 2014.
- ↑ "No UK Spear Cap 3 Decision on F-35 until 2018". Defense News. 28 May 2015.
- ↑ "£411m invested in F-35s new anti-ship/tank/building mini-cruise missile". Navy News. 19 May 2016.
- ↑ "Aimpoint selection: the UK's SPEAR Cap 3 air-to-surface weapon" (PDF). IHS Janes. 19 May 2016.
- ↑ "UK Study Contract Awarded to integrate Brimstone 2 onto Typhoon". Bae Systems. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Hoyle, Craig (27 June 2012). "PICTURES: MBDA sharpens Spear missile design for F-35 integration". Flight International.
- ↑ "House of Commons Written Answers Hansard". UK Parliament. 21 May 2013.
- ↑ "£411 million investment in new missile for UK's new jets sustains 700 UK jobs". UK Ministry of Defence. 18 March 2016.
- ↑ "Storm Shadow dropped from UK's F-35B follow-on integration plan". IHS Janes. 20 May 2016.
- ↑ "MBDA SHOWCASES THE SPEAR PRECISION STRIKE MISSILE FOR THE F-35". MBDA. 12 July 2016.