MBDA Designs Spear For RAF JSFs

MBDA has unveiled a mockup and video depiction of SPEAR, a turbojet-powered air-surface missile for the UK Royal Air Force. SPEAR stands for selective precision effects at range and the missile is intended for launch from the stealthy Lockheed Martin F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) at ranges in excess of 100 km.

MBDA describes SPEAR an all-weather, day/night, network-centric, low collateral-damage weapon that flies at high subsonic speeds. It is capable of dealing with an extremely large target set ranging from fast-moving maneuvering vehicles (including main battle tanks), hardened structures, air defense units and missile launchers, to naval vessels. It will have a multimode seeker, a multi-effects warhead and GPS/INS guidance with a data link for mid-course target updates.