Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • SPEAR missile bound for F-35B achieves firing milestone

Defence

SPEAR missile bound for F-35B achieves firing milestone

A joint UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and industry team conducted the first in a series of trials of the MBDA-designed SPEAR air-to-surface cruise missile from a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon test and evaluation jet at Vidsel range in Sweden.

Above: A SPEAR missile in front of an F-35B fighter jet.
Courtesy DE&S / © Jamie Hunter/MBDA

This guided firing marks a critical milestone in the development and maturity of the SPEAR programme, which is managed by DE&S.

Once in service on the F-35B fighter jet, SPEAR will provide a potent strike capability, enabling the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to project power at increased range from both land bases and when deployed from Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers as part of the Carrier Strike Group.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Dean Pask, the MoD’s Senior Responsible Owner for SPEAR, said: “This guided firing represents a major step in the capability development of the SPEAR programme, and is the first in a campaign of firings to demonstrate the missile’s capabilities. The success of this test is a testament to the hard work and collaborative efforts of our industry partners at MBDA and BAE Systems, as well as MoD personnel across multiple teams.”

Above: A BAE Systems Typhoon jet carrying a SPEAR missile during a guided firing trial in Sweden.
Courtesy DE&S / © MBDA

Each F-35B aircraft will be able to carry up to eight SPEARs, providing the next generation of stand-off air-to-surface missiles for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences missions in challenging and complex operating environments. The turbojet-powered miniature cruise missiles have a range of over 100 kilometres and can find their targets using a combination of laser, radar or GPS-aided guidance.

The trial, which did not carry a live warhead, demonstrated the release, gather and long-range free-flight control of the missile following a high-altitude and high-speed release from the Typhoon aircraft. It also demonstrated the missile’s ability to autonomously navigate to its target via predefined waypoints, using its advanced all-weather radar seeker to map the target area and then use seeker radiofrequency imagery to successfully engage with it.

Matthew Brown, SPEAR Team Leader at DE&S, said: “This trial was a key step on the way to delivering SPEAR to the UK front-line, where it will provide a new capability to defeat the most complex air defence systems, enabling pilots to fly and fight wherever they’re needed in defence of the UK and its allies.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Developed in the UK by MBDA, work on the SPEAR missile system supports several hundred jobs among MBDA’s 5,500-strong UK workforce. The first guided firing follows an extensive series of ground and flight trials, including captive flights by Typhoons.

Image courtesy DE&S / © MBDA

Mike Mew, Tactical Strike Director of MBDA, said: “SPEAR is a truly unique weapon system – the first to offer the range, flexibility, precision and load-out to defeat modern enemy air defences. The success of this trial is thanks to excellent joint working from teams across MoD, BAE Systems and MBDA.”

Earlier this summer, DE&S and MBDA signed the 10-year Portfolio Management Agreement 2, which represents the renewal of a long-term strategic relationship through which complex weapon systems design, development, production and support will be conducted. It supports £6.5 billion of planned investment in the UK weapons industry by the MoD over the next decade and also covers Brimstone, CAMM, Sea Viper, Sea Venom and Storm Shadow.

Advertisement
Babcock LB
GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

BAE Systems assessed

Defence

BAE Systems assessed 'Awardable' for US DoD work in P1 Solutions Marketplace

9 July 2025

BAE Systems in collaboration with Defense Unicorns, have announced that their joint solution has achieved 'Awardable' status for US Department of Defense (DoD) work through the US Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

Defence

Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

8 July 2025

UK Government plans to deliver jobs across the country by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain's defence sector are being unveiled today.

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

Defence

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

8 July 2025

Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025