Breaking news
UK MoD signs contract with MBDA for the Weapon Development Phase of the SPEAR missile.
| 2016
Showcased at the MBDA chalet during Farnborough International Air Show 2014 was an F-35B model fitted with 2 Meteor missiles and 8 SPEAR 3 in the weapon bays. |
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Powered
by a turbojet engine, SPEAR has significant reach to ensure that the launch
aircraft remains safely away from hostile air defence units. SPEAR is
equipped with the latest generation multi-effects warhead, designed to
meet the demands of the future combat mission. Fitted with the latest generation multi-sensor seeker designed to operate in all combat conditions, SPEAR will be able to engage a wide range of target types both on land and sea. The weapon is being designed for operation on the F-35, and the Eurofighter Typhoon is designated to act as a trials platform for missile development. The integration of SPEAR onto Typhoon for trials enables its potential as an additional future operational platform for the weapon. The F-35 with SPEAR will be flown by both the UK’s Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force. |
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At Farnborough International Air Show 2014, MBDA was showcasing for the first time a full scale model of the SPEAR 3 quadruple rack specifically designed to fit in the F-35 weapons bay |
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Other MBDA
weapons intended for the UK’s F-35 include the ASRAAM Within Visual
Range Air to Air Missile that is currently undergoing integration trials
in the US and the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile. |
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