Spear 3

The MBDA SPEAR 3 (Selective Precision Effects at Range) missile is an advanced air-to-surface weapon developed to meet the UK Ministry of Defense's Capability 3 requirements. The SPEAR 3 missile is the successor to the Paveway IV and Brimstone missiles (designated as SPEAR Capability 1 and 2).

It was developed as the primary precision strike system for the Royal Navy's F-35B Lightning II and the Royal Air Force's Typhoon aircraft.

Design

SPEAR 3 measures approximately 6.5 feet (2 m) in length, with a diameter of 0.18 meters, and weighs about 220 lbs (100 kg), making it suitable for deployment in internal weapons bays or underwing hardpoints.

It is powered by a TJ-150 turbojet engine, with a maximum range of 87 miles (140 km).

Warhead

The missile is equipped with a multi-effect warhead with multiple fusing options. It can be programmed before or during flight.

Guidance and Targeting

SPEAR 3 is network-enabled with a two-way data link allowing in-flight updates, re-targeting and abort functions. SPEAR can be used in both fire-and-forget and semi-active laser designation modes.

Similar to the Dual Mode Brimstone missile, the Spear 3 is equipped with both a millimeter wave (mmW) and a semi-active laser (SAL) terminal seeker, offering versatile targeting options. The mmW seeker allows the missile to perform "fire and forget" missions by capturing high-resolution images at 94 GHz (close to optical wavelengths). These images are processed by the system’s target recognition algorithms without needing human input. On the other hand, the SAL seeker enables a human operator to designate a target by "painting" it with a laser. The seeker then detects the reflected electromagnetic energy from the laser and guides the missile directly to the target. By incorporating both types of seekers, the Spear 3 gains enhanced mission flexibility, allowing it to operate either as an autonomous "fire-and-forget" missile or as a laser-guided missile.

Operational Capabilities

The SPEAR 3 is compatible with the F-35 Lighting II and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

• F-35B Lightning II: Can carry up to 16 SPEAR 3 missiles (four per launcher in internal bays and additional launchers under wings). The F-35B can carry eight SPEAR 3 according to the U.K. MoD.
• Typhoon Aircraft: Can hold up to 12 missiles on four underwing hardpoints.
• QUEEN ELIZABETH-class: The Royal Air Force plans to deploy the SPEAR 3 equipped F-35B from these carriers.

Development

The need for SPEAR 3 arose after NATO's 1999 Kosovo intervention, where UK forces faced challenges striking time-sensitive targets. Although Brimstone addressed some issues after its mid-2000s introduction, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched the Capability 3 requirement in 2009 to overcome Brimstone's limited range and integrate a two-way datalink for post-launch retargeting.

In development. Expected to enter service in 2027.

The U.K. MoD announced the Capability 3 requirement to address shortfalls in the Brimstone missile in 2009.

According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, In March 2010, the UK Ministry of Defense awarded MBDA a £150 million ($200 million) contract to conduct a four-year assessment phase for the development of the Spear 3 missile. Initially, the 2011 design of the missile featured a box-shaped airframe. However, by mid-2012, MBDA had significantly refined the design. When it debuted at the 2012 Farnborough Air Show, the missile was introduced as a “mini cruise missile” with a sleeker circular airframe, matching the diameter of the Brimstone missile. The updated design included flip-out wings mounted on the top that folded backward for storage, revised twin side air intakes, and three tail fins folding into an inverted "Y" shape for enhanced aerodynamic performance.

The system cleared its Critical Design Review and System Design Review in 2011. The assessment phase was then completed, with flight trials taking place from 2013 to 2015.

2016

In March 2016, a SPEAR prototype missile was launched from a Typhoon trial aircraft operated by BAE Systems at the QinetiQ Aberporth range in Wales. The missile transitioned through separation from the Typhoon aircraft to powered flight before completing a series of maneuvers, ending in a terminal dive to the desired point of impact. According to reports, the missile accurately followed the planned trajectory and was well within simulation predictions; all trial objectives were achieved, reported the U.K. Defence Journal. The 2016 trial served as “a technology demonstration conducted during the project’s assessment phase, testing the missile’s airframe, navigation, and propulsion systems to increase technical maturity and de-risk the program ahead of the launch of the weapon development phase.

On April 1, 2016, the U.K. Ministry of Defense issued a four-year contract to MBDA to develop a new missile system. The contract is worth GBP411 million and covers critical design and development work on the SPEAR 3.

2019

MBDA announced on March 18, 2019, that the U.K. was advancing the integration of the SPEAR 3 missiles onto its F-35 fleet through a collaboration with BAE Systems, and Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems received an initial funding award from Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on the F-35 program, to begin integration efforts for MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and SPEAR precision surface attack missile.

In Sep 2019, MBDA received a contract worth $12 million for work on the new SPEAR -EW (Electronic Warfare) model of the SPEAR system.

The War Zone reported on Dec. 1, 2019, that MBDA was launching an electronic warfare variant of the SPEAR 3 designated SPEAR-EW.

2021

On Jan. 6, 2021, MBDA announced it had secured a 550 million pound contract from the U.K. MoD for the production of SPEAR 3 missiles. The new contract follows the successful implementation of the weapon development phase contract for SPEAR placed in 2016 and the contracting of integration of SPEAR onto F-35 in 2019.

In 2021, MBDA and BAE Systems announced they had secured funding from the British and Italian governments to complete the integration of the SPEAR 3 on both the F-35B and the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A. While the United Kingdom has only acquired the F-35B, Italy operates both versions, according to The War Zone.

2023

MBDA reported on Sept. 12, 2023, that it received additional funding from the U.K. Ministry of Defense to accelerate the development of the SPEAR-EW stand-in jammer.

2024

The Italian navy outlined the future weapons package for its F-35B fleet in the Senate of the Republic, Chamber of Deputies 19th Legislature's Documentation of the Examination of Government Acts published on July 15, 2024. The document revealed the Italian navy would arm its F-35B fleet with Kongsberg RTX Joint Strike Missile and the SPEAR 3. A fleet of 15 F-35B will replace the navy's AV-8B Harrier II aircraft.

Aviation Week reported on July 20, 2024, that MBDA is advancing the integration of Orchestrike technology into its SPEAR 3 missile, marking a significant leap in missile capabilities. Orchestrike utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data links to enable missiles within a strike package to collaborate dynamically. This includes reallocating missiles to high-priority targets if others are intercepted or rerouting to avoid air defenses while synchronizing their arrival times at the target. These enhancements increase both the survivability of the weapons and their effectiveness, potentially reducing the number of sorties or weapons required for missions. SPEAR 3 was the first missile selected to adopt Orchestrike.

MBDA announced on Nov. 19, 2024, that it conducted the first guided trial of the SPEAR 3 from a BAE Systems Typhoon jet at Sweden’s Vidsel range. Released at high altitude and speed, it successfully executed long-range free-flight navigation via predefined waypoints. It also showcased the missile's ability to autonomously map target areas using its advanced all-weather radar seeker and to engage its target with high precision using radiofrequency imagery. The test did NOT involve a live warhead.

MBDA, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom,

Britain
   Air Force              (planned on F-35B)

Italy
   Air Force              (planned on F-35)

 WEIGHT
   Total                220 lbs (<100 kg)

 DIMENSIONS
   Length               6 ft 5 in (2.0 m)
   Diameter             0 ft 6 in (0.18 m)

 PERFORMANCE
   Range                87 mi (140 km)   

SPEAR-EW

SPEAR-EW will act as a jammer and decoy, disrupting enemy air defense systems to protect both the launching aircraft and other missiles. The SPEAR-EW can spoof, jam, and blind air defense radars, providing critical electronic warfare support in scenarios like the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) or when coordinating with kinetic SPEAR-3 missiles in a "swarm" strategy.

SPEAR Glide

SPEAR -Glide uses the same airframe as the SPEAR 3, but without a propulsion system. The SPEAR Glide is a low-cost weapons option. This model includes a larger warhead.

SPEAR 3 is used by the the British Royal Air Force to combat Daesh in Syria and Iraq

SPEAR 1 refers to the Paveway IV precision-guided munition, while SPEAR 2 is the Brimstone, SPEAR 4 is a midlife upgrade for the Storm Shadow cruise missile, and SPEAR 5 is the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon, which is being pursued as a joint project by the United Kingdom and France.