(c) Crown 2013

MBDA once again demonstrated the superiority of the combat-proven Dual Mode Brimstone with a series of successful test firings in October 2013. These tests demonstrated the enhanced performance derived from the latest guidance system upgrades being added to the Brimstone missile under the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense’s Brimstone 2 program.

The trials involved firing five Dual Mode Brimstone missiles at a series of fast moving targets traveling up to 70 mph. Brimstones were fired from a variety of launch conditions including long range and high off-boresight and against targets traveling through cluttered road environments.

Every shot achieved a direct hit on the target.

The Brimstone 2 program builds on the world-class combat proven Dual Mode Brimstone capability, providing significant performance enhancements including:

• A substantial engagement envelope increase (>200% increase in off boresight and maximum range capabilities).
• Enhanced laser and dual mode performance against a range of static, fast moving and maneuvering targets even at very long ranges and against low reflectivity targets in highly cluttered environments.
• Increased maneuverability both for release from fast moving and maneuvering platforms and to increase further the performance against highly dynamic targets in the end game.

All five missiles were fitted with a telemetry system in lieu of a warhead to provide the necessary performance evidence for the guidance chain.

The telemetry system confirmed that each missile performed perfectly throughout. Each missile flew the optimum trajectory, immediately acquiring the laser returns even at maximum ranges, fused and correlated the laser and Millimeter Wave Radar (MMW) RF radar target tracks and then used the MMW radar to ensure a direct hit.

Brimstone demonstrated its precision and low collateral capability against a range of armored, armored, static and fast moving and maneuvering targets in support of Royal Air Force operations in Libya and continues to do so in Afghanistan.

These capabilities to now engage targets at longer ranges, higher altitudes, and at high off-boresight angles, even with high platform bank angles, ensures optimum flexibility and survivability for the platform, while minimizing the process to engage time-sensitive targets. The aircrew can stand off at vastly longer ranges, engage targets from a Close Air Support (CAS) wheel without the need to revert to straight and level flight, and with complete confidence that the missile has the precision to hit the target regardless of its speed and direction, especially in real world cluttered environments.

Attending the 2013 AUSA Conference? Stop by and visit our booth in Hall B #3325.

Photo and video material used with permission of UK MoD. Licensed under the Open Government Licence. See www.nationalarchives.gov.uk