RAF and Royal Navy achieve milestone with successful SPEAR cruise missile trial

The trial took place at the Vidsel test range in Sweden, where the missile was launched from a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon jet. It followed a pre-programmed route and used its radar seeker to locate and strike the target.

SPEAR is a turbojet-powered cruise missile capable of engaging various targets, including air defences, ships, armoured vehicles, and structures. With a range of over 100 kilometres, it enables aircraft to strike from a safe distance.

The missile will be deployed on the UK’s F-35B fighter jets, which can carry up to eight SPEAR missiles. This will allow the jets to conduct missions from land or aircraft carriers.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, highlighted the importance of the trial, stating: “The successful trial of the pioneering SPEAR missile marks a significant leap forward in UK Armed Forces’ capabilities, ensuring our Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel are equipped with cutting-edge technology to protect our nation.”

The SPEAR programme supports jobs across MBDA’s facilities in Stevenage, Bristol, and Bolton. It is part of a broader £6.5 billion investment in UK weapons development over the next decade, which includes other systems such as Brimstone and CAMM.

Chris Moon, UK Delivery Director for Typhoon Capability at BAE Systems, acknowledged the collaboration between MBDA, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and BAE Systems. “We now look forward to the next phase of SPEAR trials, as well as delivering the testing of many other capabilities in support of the RAF Typhoon Force,” he said.

The trial demonstrated the missile’s long-range flight control and target engagement capabilities. SPEAR is intended to meet modern military requirements, including the ability to strike targets in adverse conditions and against countermeasures.

Matthew Brown, SPEAR Team Leader at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), described the trial as an important milestone in delivering the system to the armed forces. “This trial was a key step on the way to delivering SPEAR to the UK frontline, where it will provide a new capability to defeat the most complex air defence systems,” he said.

Source: Royal Air Force (RAF).