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MBDA develops Wolfram new anti-tank vehicle using land version of Brimstone air-to-surface missile.

Jointly developed by Supacat and MBDA, the Wolfram combines the rugged mobility of the Supacat HMT 6x6 platform with the lethal precision of the Brimstone missile system. This anti-tank vehicle, designed to deliver mobile firepower against armored targets, captivated attendees with its impressive capabilities and strategic importance. Displayed at DVD 2024, the Wolfram demonstrated its advanced features, underscoring the event's role as a key showcase for military technologies shaping the future of defense.
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The Wolfram is a next-generation vehicle that combines performance, durability, and cutting-edge technology designed by MBDA. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

DVD 2024 is a must-attend event dedicated to technological advancements and innovations in the automotive and sustainable mobility fields. Held in the United Kingdom, this defense event gathers car manufacturers, innovative startups, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas, present new developments, and discover the latest trends shaping the future of mobility.

The Wolfram is an anti-tank vehicle developed by Supacat and MBDA, combining the Supacat HMT 6x6 Special Forces vehicle equipped with a Brimstone missile launcher module. The main idea behind the Wolfram is to mount an eight-missile Brimstone launcher pod on the HMT vehicle, offering a mobile strike capability against ground targets. The Brimstone, originally an air-to-ground missile used for ground attacks, has been adapted for surface-to-surface roles, particularly to counter enemy armored vehicles. In May 2022, the UK sent a quantity of Brimstone missiles to Ukraine, where they were used on improvised vehicle mounts to fight Russian forces.

The Brimstone missile is an air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile developed by the United Kingdom, primarily designed for precision strikes against ground targets.  It has been deployed in several conflicts and used by armed forces such as the Royal Air Force, the Royal Saudi Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, and more recently, Ukrainian forces, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The Brimstone is a compact missile weighing around 50 kg and measuring 1.8 meters long. Its design includes a tandem HEAT warhead weighing 6.3 kg, specifically intended to penetrate armored targets. This missile is powered by a solid-fuel rocket engine, reaching supersonic speeds of around Mach 1.3, or approximately 450 meters per second. One of its key features is its sophisticated guidance system, which integrates a 94 GHz millimeter-wave active radar and an inertial navigation system (INS), giving it impressive accuracy with an error margin of less than one meter. Later versions, such as the dual-mode sensor variant and Brimstone 2 and 3, also include laser guidance capability, enhancing the missile’s versatility in various combat environments.

The Brimstone can be launched from various aerial platforms, including the Tornado GR4 and Typhoon, and it is also planned to be integrated into drones such as the Hydra and Protector. Its range varies depending on the launch platform. For instance, in its initial version, it could strike targets over 20 kilometers away when launched from a fixed-wing aircraft approximately 12 kilometers from a helicopter, and 8 kilometers for the land version.

The land version of the Brimstone missile uses fire-and-forget technology, allowing operators to launch the missile and rely on its autonomous guidance system to find and destroy its target without further intervention. This advanced capability is made possible by the missile’s dual-mode seeker, which combines millimeter-wave radar and laser guidance. Once fired, the missile uses its radar seeker to lock onto targets, even if they are moving, ensuring high precision and minimizing the risk to the operator. The fire-and-forget feature enhances battlefield effectiveness by allowing multiple missiles to be launched simultaneously or in rapid succession, increasing the chances of success against enemy armored vehicles and other targets.

Thanks to its high precision and ability to hit moving targets with minimal collateral damage, the Brimstone missile has been widely used in military operations such as Operation Shader and Operation Herrick. Its multiple variants and guidance options make it a particularly suitable weapon system for modern conflicts like the conflict in Ukraine, where precision and minimizing collateral damage are crucial.

The outdoor presentation of the Wolfram at the DVD 2024 Show was a highlight of the event. Visitors had the opportunity to admire this exceptional vehicle up close, explore its innovative features, and learn about the technological advancements it incorporates. The Wolframe thus confirmed its place in the high-end hybrid vehicle market, promising to revolutionize sustainable mobility with its remarkable performance and commitment to the environment.

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