SPEAR designed to attack over-the-horizon mobile targets

As the weapon's designation suggests, missile developer and manufacturer MBDA is developing its SPEAR air-to-surface missile to meet the UK's Selective Precision Effect At Range requirement. Intended to allow the engagement of mobile, fleeting and re-locatable targets far beyond the horizon, SPEAR will also keep the launch aircraft out of the coverage of enemy air-defence units.

The configuration revealed at the recent Farnborough 2012 Airshow is significantly different from that publicised earlier this year under the designation 100B. The new weapon has a fuselage of circular cross-section, dorsally mounted flip-out wings that fold rearward for stowage and three folding tail surfaces. (The earlier 100B design had a fuselage of rectangular cross-section and four tail fins arranged in an X configuration.)

According to MBDA, SPEAR will be less than 2 m long in order to fit within the weapons bay of the F-35, about 18 cm in diameter and will weigh less than 100 kg. Four will be carried on a dedicated launcher in each of the aircraft's internal weapons bays, while others could be carried in the aircraft's underwing pylons. The same pattern of launcher will also be compatible with the hardpoints of the Eurofighter Typhoon.