MBDA & Supacat Launch Anti-Tank Vehicle with Brimstone Missiles on HMT600 vehicle.

MBDA and Supacat have developed a new generation of a mobile anti-tank missile system mounted on an HMT600 vehicle. The Brimstone offers new antitank capabilities to engage adversaries with precision, at a range from 10 to 12 km. Typically, Brimstone is an air-to-surface missile system, but when mounted on an HMT600 chassis, it takes on a whole new dimension, allowing it to serve an anti-tank role.
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System Brimstone mounted on an HMT600 at DSEI 2023 (Picture source: Army Recognition )

The Brimstone missile system offers versatility with its "One Missile, Multi-Platform" design. It can be integrated onto a variety of platforms, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, land vehicles, naval platforms, and even UAVs, as explained by Army Recognition dated September 21, 2023. When mounted on the HMT600 platform, the modular Brimstone launcher equips Light Forces commanders with the ability to deliver precision anti-armor effects at long ranges.

It provides an Overwatch capability for Light Forces, allowing for rapid engagement and high payload options that offer Main Battle Tank (MBT) denial and mobile counter-mass capabilities. The system has quick into/out-of-action times and broadside firing, maximizing the missile's range and simplifying platform installation.

One of its features is its ability for line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight engagements, thanks to its high off-boresight agility. The system also offers flexible engagement options via third-party targeting from various sensor options within the battlespace. Additionally, it has a salvo launch option that enables coordinated effects on multiple targets during a single mission.

According to MBDA, the Brimstone missile boasts a success rate of over 98% in defeating a variety of target sets, including MBTs and other armored vehicles. It offers low collateral damage in restrictive engagement scenarios and a fire-and-forget capability. The missile is designed to defeat all known Defensive Aid Suites and Active Protection Systems, thus extending its effects coverage and points of presence on the battlefield.

Weighing 50 kg and measuring 1.8 meters in length with a diameter of 180 mm, the Brimstone missile is equipped with millimetric wave radar and semi-active laser guidance. Its warhead features a tandem-shaped charge with adaptive fusing. The missile uses a cast double-base propellant rocket motor housed in a strip steel laminate motor case. Used as a ground-to-ground missile it will have a maximum firing range from 10 to 12 km. 

The HMT600 is a tactical vehicle designed to offer a combination of mobility, payload capacity, and protection. With a gross weight of 10,500 kg and a payload capacity of 3,900 kg, it has a curb weight of 6,600 kg, including fuel and armor, and is capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h. With a fuel capacity of 200 liters, the HMT600 can cover a maximum road range of 700 km.

In terms of maneuverability, the vehicle has a turning circle of 17.5 meters. It can ford water up to 1,000 mm deep and climb slopes with a gradient of 60%. It can also handle side slopes up to 35 degrees.

Under the hood, the HMT600 is equipped with a Cummins 6.7L, 6-cylinder diesel engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque. The transmission is a 5-speed automatic, with 2WD/4WD options and high-low range speeds. The braking system is air-over hydraulic with ABS and features limited-slip differentials for better traction. Power-assisted steering and 335/80 R20 tires contribute to the vehicle's maneuverability.

Regarding electrical systems, the HMT600 operates on a 24v DC system and features independent suspension with air-adjustable ride height. For protection, the vehicle is designed to offer mine blast and ballistic protection, making it a solid choice for operations in hostile environments.

The combination of MBDA's Brimstone system and Supacat's HMT600 vehicle is an interesting pairing, offering a new role for this typically air-to-surface system. The agility of the HMT600 combined with the firepower of the Brimstone system gives this new vehicle potential anti-tank hunting capabilities.