The MBDA SPEAR missile has successfully completed its first-ever firing against a target, marking a significant advancement in the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) next-generation missile capabilities for both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy. The trial was conducted at the Vidsel test range in Sweden, where BAE Systems engineers and a test pilot collaborated with a joint UK MoD and industry team to complete the firing.
SPEAR is a next-generation, turbojet-powered miniature cruise missile. This trial was the first time the weapons system had been fired against a target, representing a significant leap forward in the programme’s development.
Each missile is capable of striking targets from 100km away and is designed to engage a range of threats, including air defences, ships, tanks, fortified structures, and fast-moving vehicles.
In this test, the SPEAR missile autonomously navigated to the target and on arrival, it used its advanced all-weather radar seeker and radio-frequency imagery to successfully engage the target.
The trial, which employed a telemetry unit in place of a live warhead, demonstrated the missile’s release, data-gathering, and long-range free-flight control following a high-altitude, high-speed release.
Chris Moon, BAE Systems’ UK Delivery Director for Typhoon Capability, said: “This successful firing from Typhoon is the result of hard work and outstanding collaboration between MBDA, the MoD, and BAE Systems personnel over many months.
“We now look forward to the next phase of SPEAR trials, as well as delivering the testing of many other world-leading capabilities in support of the RAF Typhoon Force.”
Once in service, SPEAR will provide a powerful new strike capability for both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF).
