Building on the Dual Mode Brimstone missile’s excellent combat record of destroying complex land targets, MBDA continues to upgrade Brimstone’s capabilities for maritime engagements.  In our most recent testing, Brimstone destroyed a high-speed Fast in-shore Attack Craft (FIAC) target maneuvering in an environment cluttered with multiple neutral vessels.

In the testing, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4 jet aircraft attacked a remotely-controlled 40ft FIAC powered by twin 350hp engines.  Two separate successful shots were taken, one with a telemetry Dual Mode Brimstone missile (non-warhead, data-gathering missile), and one with an operational Dual Mode Brimstone missile.  Both missiles were fitted with MBDA’s latest anti-FIAC software upgrades which optimized the missile for the unique challenges of maritime engagements. The operational Dual Mode Brimstone missile destroyed the target with a single shot in “Sea State 3” conditions.  The FIAC was operating at maximum achievable speed in close proximity to three neutral targets.  The neutral targets were unharmed, and given how aggressively the FIAC was maneuvering, this is compelling evidence of Brimstone’ unmatched precision and low risk of collateral damage.

Conducted in March and April 2014 at the QinetiQ-managed Aberporth range in west Wales, UK these new trials further demonstrate the versatility of Dual Mode Brimstone as a single weapon system for multiple aircraft and missions, including urban environments and congested sea lanes.