DSEi 2017: Harris Corp. to fit UK F-35s with new carriage and release systems.

The contract follows the successful completion of the concept assessment phase contract and provides an option for the upcoming demonstration phase contract.

Harris will provide four internal bay-compatible SCORPION Lightweight Ejection Rack Units (ERUs) for each of the two F-35 weapon bays. These lightweight ERUs are manufactured at the company’s Brighton, England, facility, and they deliver sophisticated and reliable ejection performance. The ERUs have a high degree of weapon-departure control that is essential to safe operations on hisgh performance air platforms.

“The MBDA SPEAR weapon, combined with our delivery system, offers an advanced precision strike capability for existing aircraft and future fifth-generation air platforms, both manned and unmanned,” said Ed Zoiss, president, Harris Electronic Systems. “We continue to expand our international presence for pneumatic launcher technology in this high-performance, mission-critical application.”

MBDA's SPEAR missile is being developed to meet the UK’s Selective Precision Effects At Range Capability 3 (SPEAR 3) requirement for the UK’s F-35 aircraft, with the option to equip the Typhoon aircraft. SPEAR will precisely engage long range, mobile, fleeting and re-locatable targets in all weathers, day or night, in the presence of countermeasures, obscurants and camouflage, whilst ensuring a safe stand-off range between the aircrew and threat air defences.