Aircraft
UK Confirms Development of New Spear Missile for F-35
MBDA’s Spear weapon will offer long-range and precision, but not until the mid-2020s.
The SPEAR missile designed by MBDA has a multi-mode seeker and is powered by a small turbojet. (Photo: MBDA)
The SPEAR missile designed by MBDA has a multi-mode seeker and is powered by a small turbojet. (Photo: MBDA)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed development of a sovereign air-to-surface weapon for its forthcoming F-35 fleet, by awarding a contract worth $596 million to MBDA for the Spear missile. The move follows a protracted assessment phase since the design was revealed in 2012. Development will take another four years, and the weapon will not enter service until the mid-2020s, according to the MoD.


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