MBDA has secured additional funds from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to fast-track the development of the SPEAR-EW jammer.
This boost in the Rapid Design Phase funding is targeted to hasten SPEAR-EW’s progression, optimising its primary sub-systems and allowing for mission and planning assessment.
“SPEAR-EW will be a true game-changer for the suppression and defeat of enemy air defences. As we have seen lately, air defence networks are exceptionally hard to operate against with today’s toolkit: SPEAR-EW is the key that will enable allied air forces to unlock this challenge and gain air superiority,” commented Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK.
Dean Pask, Spear Senior Responsible Owner, stated, “By embracing collaborative partnering, agile methods, and strategic technology, we are steadfastly dedicated to ensuring that our front line commands receive critical capabilities in the most effective and efficient manner possible”.
Leonardo is tasked with creating the jammer’s electronic warfare payload, leveraging its mature Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology.
This advanced technology, say the firm, already established effective in trials, will enhance SPEAR-EW’s sensing and electronic assault competencies. It will enable operations such as jamming enemy radar and creating decoy targets, diverting threat systems from manned aircraft.
Iain Bancroft, SVP Electronic Warfare at Leonardo UK, highlighted, “SPEAR-EW will incorporate a world-class electronic warfare payload, designed and manufactured here in Luton, UK. Based on our experience providing on-board jamming capabilities for the Eurofighter Typhoon and, more recently, off-board jamming in the form of our BriteCloud expendable active decoy, our technology can reliably beat current threats while remaining adaptable for the threats of the future”.
A noteworthy point is that SPEAR-EW shares the same framework as MBDA’s SPEAR miniature cruise missile crafted for the Royal Air Force, resulting in a decrease in developmental costs and facilitating a combined integration/launcher solution. This not only eases logistical concerns but also augments the potential load-out capability.
It will be an absolutely vital tool for F35B and Tempest, that’s for sure…..
It baffles my mind its taken this long to get the capability back. In Iraq 1, the raf tornados had to be escorted by US growlers because of the lack of EW counter measures. OK the f35 brings this capability through stealth but leave the typhoons being highly vulnerable, especially considering the lack of raw numbers of any platform.
Absolutely Steve, still we can only look forward can’t we.
Spear EW will no doubt also equip loyal wingman, flying ahead, deploying these and confusing air defence systems.
Can’t see loyal wingman coming to anything. Lots of concepts but it seems no real investment. Australia are miles ahead, so are many other nations.
Believe Aussies would be pleased to sell or coproduce Ghost Bat (or derivative[s]) to/w/ RAF. Certain that offset purchases would be appreciated by Aussies after T-26 and SSN AUKUS. Really not a need for everyone to independently develop the proverbial wheel. Simply another benefit of AUKUS membership. Hell, they may even offer mate’s rates, if you offer to buy a few rounds…🤔😉
Based on the trade deal they won from us, mates rates will be we double. Was chatting with a aussie farmer whilst traveling the other week and he was glimming that compared to the UK they have no admin around farming or red tape and so will be able to sell significantly undercutting uk farmers. He couldn’t believe the amount of red tape involved when he watched Clarkson farm.
So they will come to something then.
Hi Steve the typhoon has its own very good organic EW suite that provides jamming spoofing and EW attack options via its DASS system. As well as the standard chaff and flares it also has briteclould active RF frequency decoy ( effectively a disposable of board EW jamming package). The typhoon DASS is now networked so aircraft in the battle space can share data on threats…the sensor fusion in the typhoon along with the DASS system basically builds up a picture of threats for the pilot with options to neutralise or avoid….it’s why the typhoon is fully in the generation… Read more »
Well described mate.
Don’t forget ECRS mk 2 will have offensive electronic capabilities too once in service
It’s a good description, many forget just how revolutionary Typhoon is compared to almost any 4th Gen aircraft or even F22 in this regards with the US relying more on stealthy 5th Gen aircraft and dedicated jamming aircraft to accomplish a similar mission set. Too often people jump to the conclusion that if we are not doing it the same way as the US then it must be wrong and the UK tends not to scream about these capabilities. It’s worth point out that the new Mk2 CAPTOR E AESA radar will be a total game changer and may offer… Read more »
I agree.
It is easy to underestimate CAPTOR-E + F35B
I *suspect* the reason we pressed ahead with this was because of the issues around LM integrating things and a lack of open architecture to get data out from an F35?
As @Jonathan points out above Typhoon is already being fused into a battle space information platform and having gained this sovereign system and flexibility it brings it makes sense to press on in this direction.
Yes, I’m hoping that SPEAR EW can integrate with block IV F35 like the conventional SPEAR but I think MOD quite rightly has a bad taste after dealing with LM.
Thankfully we still have options.
I have heard a number of rumours saying SPEAR is being looked at for integration with one or two of our helicopters. So I am guessing that would be Apache and Wildcat, as it seems Merlin is exclusively ASW. Though part of the reason JAGM was chosen over Brimstone for the Apache was due to the integration costs.
Yes and one of Brimstones major advantages is its ability to launch from fast jets at supersonic speeds.
F35 has EW capabilities that are on par with aircraft specifically designed for the job, along with electronic attack capability.
Typhoon has praetorian DASS which includes escort jamming. The US has nothing yet like SPEAR EW but it is developing a version of MALD for this, the entire USAF and USMC now have no electronic jamming escort fighter aircraft and will rely solo on F35 like us. The navy has Growler but that’s it and it’s reducing platform numbers. Give what F35 can do especially when it comes out SPEAR and soon loyal wing men drones there is no need for a dedicated platform. Typhoon’s job will be to stand off and lob long range missiles while F35 goes in… Read more »
This is not accurate. The US has been operated EW drones since the Vietnam war and MALD specifically for at least a decade.
This is not accurate. The US has been operated EW drones since the Vietnam war and MALD specifically for at least a decade. Not sure where you are getting your info from but the usaf uses the f-16 for sead/dead missions and US military strike packages are coordinated efforts using usaf, navy and usmc assets. Also growler numbers are not reducing but actually increasing according to funding from the latest budget. In addition to all this, the next generation jammer MB and LB are coming online over the next few years that brings a whole new level of stand off… Read more »
MALD X and MALD N are equivalent to SPEAR EW, they are still being developed.
I’m sure the concepts have a lot in common but let’s not be presumptuous since there isn’t much available publicly in terms of requirements or capabilities of the latest version of the mald or the spear ew. By the way the mald n is just the mald x with some specific navy requirements added. The X version officially flew back in 2018 but the US military has gone quiet about it since then other than to state that the latest version was focused on networking capability (swarming) and increased modularity with the ability to carry a range of new payloads.
Spot on Jim 👍
Is the Spear EW expected to be integrated on allied nations plateform such as Rafale or Grippen? This could enhance the ability of AirPower within Europe. Given the feed-back of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it seems important to boost capabilities in this area. But I don’t know what is planned.
MBDA say it’s being developed for Gripen (as well as F-35 and Typhoon), but I don’t know about Rafale. It’s launched from the “Spear family” launcher, which probably means if can launch SPEAR it can launch Spear-EW.
Rafale’s only air to surface missile in this category is thee AS30, which is now pretty long in the tooth. I don’t see anything else within MBDA’s portfolio that is similar to SPEAR that would be made by the French arm of MBDA. So perhaps if the French Air Force and Navy see a need to replace it then might look at SPEAR. They still haven’t looked at Brimstone, even though it has a proven combat record!
Brimstone is a very good missile, I would have liked to see it on Rafale and mirage planes. Good value for money.
I think integration costs have a lot to do with the fact that commonality of ammunition is so low. Other reasons seam not very interesting.
They certainly were very interested in it some while back but for some reason never followed up on that interest.
This is essentially BriteCloud technology packed into a SPEAR3 missile. Game changer. This along with SPEAR3 and the all weather day/night precision Paveway 4 pack’s a mighty punch and is very flexible.
We finally regain SEAD.
The Gernans will now retire their Tonkas when this comes on line, now if only they donated them to The Ukraine…
Saves the F16s and gives a future NATO, combat proven SEAD pilots who can pass on that experience of smashing AD systems.
Boxes. Russia. China. In. Put. Their.
Germany has ordered F35’s and 15 extra Tranche 4 Typhoons optimised for SEAD.
Wish we could order more Typhoons .
The Ukraine was has shown just how s**t S400 is. Like the US and NATO would be sitting in their asses for two decades with no counter.
The much vaunted Russian air defence system can’t keep old Mig 29’s out of the AO. It would last minutes against a modern NATO SEAD/DEAD operation.
This is good news, a typhoon with DASS, britecloud, EW spear 3 and a load of spear three is probably going to be one of the nasties SEAD DEAD platforms out there..bettered only by a F35. This is also really great for the F35B and any UK carrier battle group..because essentially naval aviation is always going to be a battle against an integrated air defence system and the navel aviations ability to do SEAD DEAD. Effectively you remove another navel task group by overcoming what is one of the most effective integrated air defence systems available ( a carrier battle… Read more »
I know it was only a bit of CGI for some marketing blurb, or at least I think so, but a few years ago MBDA showed some concept drawings of a cold-launch (CAMM canister) VLS Spear3. With Spear EW also on the way would VLS Spear 3/EW bring any interesting extra opportunities to the table?
I think I discussed this about a year ago, but minus the SPEAR EW as that wasn’t around then. Basically for a full strike package to be used against a peer carrier based task group. There are a number of packages that can be sent. The obvious one is where a pair of F35Bs with only internal weapons locate, fix and identify the enemy task group. Then launch their 16 internal SPEARs and SPEAR-EWs using a simultaneous time on target multi-point compass attack. Which is then quickly followed up by another pair of F35Bs operating in “Beast” mode, with a… Read more »
SEAD is now rearing its rather neglected head! Ukraine has re-taught and reminded the west of the reality and needs of modern warfare! We neglect previously learnt skills and techniques to our detriment!
Talking of neglect, what ever happened to JIMK?
Probably got drafted 😀
Someone here said he got banned, though I do not know how they could know that unless they were told be the site owner.
Trolled off to another site where he won’t get challenged as much on his garbage! Also the other muppet Frost002 has disappeared since he was gripped on his chuff! So much more grown up around here now!
Interesting I thought that MK disappeared around the same time that Wagner troll centres were raided by Russian authorities and taken down until they could be somehow absorbed into official channels. Maybe just coincidence, ut who knows might have got the same fate as his Boss or rotting in an old Soviet prison, oh well one can hope.
I’m not sure it was that neglected really, F35 was always designed around the mission and the gals in our capability like retiring Tonka and ALARM early were all just the usual MOD service cuts.
Realistically the threat of S400 was massively over played.
I just hope they don’t (Russians and Chinese will pay a fortune for a downed/failed one) capture one that someone can retro engineer. Awesome to see UK developing something like this.
This a very interesting article that’s worth reading in full. “The SPEAR family of stand-off attack weapons has been joined by SPEAR-EW, which has a jamming/decoy role. In a typical attack scenario multiple SPEAR weapons would be launched by a Typhoon or F-35, the folding wings extend to give a true loitering or extended range capability, and a SPEAR-EW would provide confusing radar and other electronic returns making detection of the armed missiles very difficult for a defender. With a 400km range, SPEAR-EW could create havoc in enemy control centres masking the true targeting intentions of the attack force. Sharing… Read more »
Lots going on in EW at the moment. US Air Force receives first new Compass Call electronic warfare plane “Kelly said he doesn’t see the Air Force’s planned drone wingmen, or collaborative combat aircraft — some of which might be able to conduct electronic warfare operations — as something that could eventually replace the Compass Call. Instead, he said, CCAs will complement the Compass Call fleet, along with the F-35 and F-15EX’s own EW capabilities. However, he warned that the Air Force needs to make sure that as these different platforms operate in the same airspace, that they don’t inadvertently… Read more »
Contractors: Gulfstream Aerospace (airframe); BAE Systems; L3 Harris (mission equipment).
First Flight: N/A.
Delivered: 2023 (planned).
IOC: 2023 (planned).
Production: Four (two currently in modification).
Inventory: 10 (planned).
Operator: ACC (planned).
Aircraft Location: Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. (planned).
Active Variants: •EC-37B. Military Electronic Attack version of the Gulfstream G550.
Dimensions: Span 93.5 ft, length 96.4 ft, height 25.8 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 90,500 lb.
Power Plant: Two BR710C4-11 turbofans, each 15,385 lb thrust.
Performance: Speed 600 mph, range 6,300 miles.
Ceiling: 51,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots, TBD.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2021/11/EW_Study_001.jpeg
Just seeing how the Ukranians took out a submarine and landing ship in dry dock which will have been well protected no doubt with a few storm shadows shows just how lethal this sort of upgraded capacity would be against almost any target.
We’re jamming, I gonna jam it with you
I would love the project to be called Bob Marley!!!!!!
This sounds like a neat piece of kit and pleased it is a UK development. I guess this explains why we’ve not opted for any Wild Weasel or Typhoon ECR of our own in the past? So, I guess how this plays out is, on a hypothetical 4-ship Typhoon raid, a lead Typhoon might release a series of these to race ahead of the others and have them loiter over the target, while the other Typhoons pile in?
can also have a decoy flying around. surely expensive but them our foes will know we have the ability to go into their airspace. poses the question that NATO arguably has the skies and asymmetric warfare is what we have to grapple with.
I wonder if the purchase of Spear EW might be a little bit late in the day! “Within five to 10 years, clocks “a million times” more precise than GPS could improve accuracy, communications, and electronic warfare – without relying on an easily jammed satellite signal. That’s why the US military wants to move beyond the GPS timing signal — which is accurate to less than 30 nanoseconds, and which enemies can jam — to compact “quantum clocks,” small enough to fit in a missile warhead or small drone and accurate to the picosecond (one-thousandth of a nanosecond) or beyond.”… Read more »
Good point but when they say could revolutionise within a decade really means likely longer due to developmental delays and costs and at the very top end of missions. Can’t really see the Russians being at that level in ten years and indeed to any degree of such capability in limited levels well beyond that. The US might have some capability in that time frame maybe the Chinese, who knows but I suspect not at any mainstream level. But yep worthy of note.
I may have missed it somewhere, but what is planned in-service date for Spear 3 and Spear-EW?