The British “miniature” missile has passed tests. Its parameters are surprising
The British SPEAR-3 missile has completed its first phase of testing. The test marked the first time the missile hit a target, demonstrating its ability to navigate autonomously.
The British Ministry of Defense announced a successful functional test of the SPEAR-3 missile. The test was carried out at the Vidsel test site in Sweden. The missile, fired from a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, hit a distant target, demonstrating the ability to autonomously navigate and precisely strike. During the test, the missile did not have a warhead, which is standard procedure during the testing phase.
Developed by MBDA UK, SPEAR-3 is a modern, miniature air-to-ground cruise missile, designed to precisely hit targets at long distances. Its development is a key part of the UK’s Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) Capability 3 program, which aims to provide the UK armed forces with advanced strike capabilities.
Technical characteristics of SPEAR-3
SPEAR-3 is characterized by compact dimensions: length less than 2 meters, diameter 180 mm and weight less than 100 kg. Thanks to the use of the Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet engine, the missile reaches a range exceeding 140 km, which allows it to hit targets beyond the range of most enemy air defense systems.
The advanced guidance system includes GPS-assisted inertial navigation and a tri-band guidance system with active millimeter radar, which enables effective operation in all weather conditions and against a variety of targets, both stationary and moving.
Integration with aviation platforms
The SPEAR-3 missile was designed for integration with modern combat aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Thanks to its small size, the F-35B is able to carry up to eight SPEAR-3 missiles in its internal weapons bays, which allows it to maintain the stealth properties of the aircraft. Integration with Eurofighter Typhoon is also planned, which will increase the operational flexibility of the British Air Force.
Although the SPEAR-3 missile has successfully completed key tests, full integration with F-35B aircraft may be delayed until 2028, which will impact the timing of its operational deployment. Nevertheless, work continues on the further development and integration of the missile with various platforms, with the aim of providing the British armed forces with modern and effective tools to carry out combat missions.
Importance to British Armed Forces
The introduction of the SPEAR-3 missile will significantly increase the strike capabilities of the British armed forces, enabling precision attacks on targets located over 100 km away, including air defense systems, ships, armored vehicles and fast-moving platforms. Thanks to its advanced guidance system, the missile is able to operate effectively in all weather conditions, which increases the operational flexibility of the Air Force.
Support for the economy and defense industry
The SPEAR-3 program supports hundreds of jobs across the UK, with design and development concentrated in Stevenage and Bristol and manufacturing in Bolton. Defense Secretary Luke Pollard said the achievement not only strengthens the country’s defense capabilities, but also boosts the UK economy by supporting highly skilled jobs and innovation.
