The test was conducted earlier this year by the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The aircraft was flown by Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nick Baker of the Air and Space Warfare Centre.
SPEAR 3 stands for Selective Precision Effects At Range Capability 3. The F-35 JPO said the flight will strengthen the UK’s F-35B precision strike arsenal and reflects the program’s work to advance capabilities for partner nations.
The mission involved specialists from the F-35 JPO, the UK Ministry of Defence and industry partners. The team included U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Lockheed Martin Aerospace maintainers and weapons technicians, along with MBDA Inc. engineers overseeing test execution and data analysis.
“As a team, we have been working hard toward this key milestone, and I’m proud to say SPEAR 3 has now flown on F-35B,” said RAF Cpl. Daniel Housden, who has been closely involved in the test program.
“I look forward to continuing with testing at the F-35 ITF and starting preparations for the first ejections,” Housden added.
Dan Shelton, F-35 JPO UK/Italy weapons integration program manager, said the work relied on close cooperation between government and industry teams. “Much of this effort is owed to the outstanding work of the combined UK government and industry weapons team, U.S. government and industry partners,” he said.
“The team’s exceptional collaboration was essential in navigating the complexities of this program, allowing us to work through every challenge and deliver results,” Shelton added.
Data collected during the flight has been analyzed, and the test team is preparing for future mission systems integration and jettison trials. Those trials are the next key milestones for integrating SPEAR 3 on the F-35B.
SPEAR 3 is central to the UK’s future precision strike capability and is intended to become the UK Ministry of Defence’s primary air-launched precision-effects surface-attack weapon. The system is designed as an advanced, network-centric weapon able to support precision strike missions in demanding conditions.
The weapon is intended to operate in all conditions, resist intensive countermeasures and engage moving and maneuvering targets. Powered by an internal turbojet engine, SPEAR 3 can fly to its target and deliver precision effects against threats including surface-to-air missile sites, armored vehicles and critical infrastructure.
Once fully integrated, the F-35B will be able to carry up to eight SPEAR 3 missiles. The capability is expected to improve the aircraft’s precision strike options while preserving stealth and survivability.
