Spear (not Spear 3, thats the MoD programme name) range is way beyond that...more like 220km (dependent on flight profile). It would need a rocket booster added.Tempest414 wrote: ↑29 May 2022, 10:36 For me the need for a Brimstone Overwatch platform with a 30 to 40 km should be high up the list followed by a upgrade to Spear 3 with a 80 to 100 km range
The rest is already likely to happen with BGOAA.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dstl ... es-project
Known as Battle Group Organic Anti-Armour (BGOAA), the work covers 4 areas:
- Close-In Self Defence (CISD): portable light weight munitions carried by Infantry sections
- Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO): a long range system providing anti-armour coverage to the battle group, with concepts carrying multiple missiles weighing up to 50kg with a range of up to 10km or more
- Close Combat Anti-Armour Weapons (CCAAW): Mounted and Dismounted, capable of destroying armoured vehicles even if hidden from view
The Land Weapons project aims to increase combat effectiveness by modernising the Army’s Guided Weapons that have been in service for over a decade. Using technology that can be launched at a greater distances and with increased force both outranging and overmatching the threat. A significant objective is to increase commonality and interchangeability between different platforms, providing greater flexibility and lower costs. Dstl is also exploring how such modular systems might enable launchers and missiles to be mounted across different trucks and armoured vehicles.
The new systems will incorporate a range of advanced technologies such as:
Non line-of-sight capability
Third-party/remote targeting and control
New sensors to overcome ‘active protection systems’ and defeat the enemy’s electronic or electro-magnetic defences
The current focus is the development of the MCCO capability. Dstl is leading work with support from industry partners including Lockheed Martin, MBDA and Thales, generated through Dstl’s weapons sector framework contract. The long-range system will be capable of engaging targets up to 10km away with missiles weighing up to 50kg.
You can pretty much guess where this will end up...
- Close-In Self Defence (CISD): portable light weight munitions carried by Infantry sections - Will be NLAW 2. After its showing in Ukraine...no need to re-invent the wheel at all, there isn't anything else like it out there right now
- Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO): a long range system providing anti-armour coverage to the battle group, with concepts carrying multiple missiles weighing up to 50kg with a range of up to 10km or more - Will be Brimstone or a derivative. Poland already moving that way.
- Close Combat Anti-Armour Weapons (CCAAW): Mounted and Dismounted, capable of destroying armoured vehicles even if hidden from view - This will be MBDA MMP. Already substantial elements made in Bolton. Javelin G variant and LWCLU does not have Man in the Loop.
Apart from that I can see a Loitering Munition arriving as well. Could be Switchblade 600 or the Army might look at the MBDA Spectre concept, or some other MBDA programme (they've recently announced a re-focus on Loitering Munitions). Sovereign capability is being revisited...
These would replace Javelin and Spike NLOS in UK Service.