UK Test-fires Spear Mini Cruise Missile That Will Equip F-35 Fighters

The UK has conducted the first successful guided firing trial of Spear, a mini cruise missile that is set to be the chief strike weapon against ships for the carrier-launched F-35B fighter jets, and can also be used against tanks, target structures and fast-moving vehicles.

Spear is described as a next-gen turbojet-powered miniature cruise missile, and this recent firing from a Typhoon jet operated by BAE Systems at the Vidsel test range in Sweden was the first time the weapon had been tried against a target, Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

During the test, the missile was able to autonomously navigate to the target after a high-altitude and high-speed release, before using an advanced all-weather radar seeker to map the area around it, and then successfully strike the target. However, the test missile was fitted with a telemetry unit instead of a live warhead.

Developed in the UK by Euro defence biz MBDA Systems, Spear is expected to give a boost to the Royal Navy's anti-ship capabilities. The missiles are capable of hitting targets more than 100 km away, and each F-35B jet is able to carry up to eight of them at a time. It will also be operated from F-35B jets by the Royal Air Force.

However, according to UK Defence Journal, the clearance process to use Spear on the F-35B is not expected to be complete before 2028, as this will require the Block 4 software upgrade for the fighters from Lockheed Martin.

It also isn't clear if the missile will be integrated for deployment from Britain's Typhoon fighter jets, despite the test missile being fired from one. We asked the MoD for confirmation of these issues.

In its announcement, the MoD claimed the firing trial marks a "critical milestone" in the development of the Spear program, providing next generation stand-off air-to-surface missiles particularly for suppression of enemy air defences in challenging and complex operating environments.

"This achievement not only strengthens national defence capabilities but also boosts the UK economy, by supporting high-skilled jobs and innovation," claimed Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces.

• Software troubles delay F-35 fighter jet deliveries ... again
• British arms dealer BAE behind F-35 electronics first in line for US CHIPS funds
• Royal Navy flies first mega Mojave drone from aircraft carrier
• US Air Force wants $6B to build 2,000 AI-powered drones

This latter refers to Spear representing several hundred jobs among MBDA's UK workforce, with design work being done mainly in Stevenage and Bristol, and manufacturing in Bolton.

Strictly speaking, Spear is just one part of the Select Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) defence program. This includes five "capabilities", comprising upgrades to other weapons systems plus this new missile.

One of those other programs is the Anglo-French Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) that is intended to replace the current Storm Shadow cruise missile and Harpoon anti-ship missile in UK service.

Spear itself is under 2 meters long and weighs less than 100 kg. It has both inertial and GPS guidance, plus a two-way datalink that allows for in-flight information updates including retargeting and abort functions. ®