항공무장 영국, SPEAR 3 순항미사일 시험발사

[위종민]

영국 정부가 11월 17일 타이푼이 스웨덴 비드젤 사격장에서 실표적을 상대로 SPEAR 3 순항미사일의 첫 시험발사를 실시했다고 발표했네요. 

2020년대 말에 F-35B에 통합될 것으로 예상되며, 시험발사를 수행한 타이푼에는 통합시키지 않을 거라고 하네요. F-35B에는 최대 8발을 탑재할 수 있다고. 

사거리는 100km 가량이며 비행경로를 조정 가능하고, 전천후 레이더 시커를 통해 목표지역을 탐색하고  RF 이미지를 이용해 교전한다고 하네요. 

UK fires new SPEAR 3 cruise missile, but service entry still years away - Airforce Technology

UK fires new SPEAR 3 cruise missile, but service entry still years away

The missile will have to undergo integration trials before being able to be operated from UK F-35B fighters.

Richard ThomasNovember 17, 2024

Share

•  
•  
•  
•  

The recent firing test saw a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon fighter launch the SPEAR 3 missile. Credit: MBDA

Despite the UK government announcing the successful firing trials of the SPEAR 3 cruise missile, a system that will provide a next-generation land-attack capability to Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots, service entry is not expected until the end of the decade at the earliest.

Detailing the firings trials of the SPEAR 3 cruise missile from a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon fourth generation fighter at Sweden’s Vidsel range, the UK government on 17 November said the test was the first time the weapons system had been fired against a target, signifying “a significant leap forward” in the programme’s development.

“Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots will benefit from a cutting-edge new cruise missile, following the first successful guided firing trial of the SPEAR missile,” the UK government released stated.

However, a programme timeline for its entry into service was not disclosed.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said: “The successful trial of the pioneering SPEAR missile marks a significant leap forward in UK Armed Forces’ capabilities, ensuring our Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel are equipped with cutting-edge technology to protect our nation.”

As of September 2024, the SPEAR 3 programme was still in the demonstration phase, with data provided by the previous UK government in January this year stating the missile would be integrated onto Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighters “by the end of the decade”.

Total investment in the SPEAR 3 programme runs to approximately £1.4bn ($1.7bn), according to official figures.

Describing the SPEAR 3 as a “next generation turbojet-powered miniature cruise missile”, the UK government said the missile has a 100km range and designed to be used against a range of targets, including “air defences, ships, tanks, defended structures and fast-moving vehicles”.

The SPEAR missile, which is being developed by MBDA, autonomously navigates to the target via customisable routes before using its all-weather radar seeker to map the target area, and radiofrequency imagery to engage, the UK government stated.

It is not anticipated that the UK will integrate SPEAR 3 onto the other strike fighter operated by the RAF, the Eurofighter Typhoon, despite the type being used as host platform for the recent trials.

UK F-35B jets will be able to carry up to eight SPEAR missiles at a time.

[백선호]

엥 타이푼에는 왜 안하죠???

[위종민]

저 기사가 틀리지 않았다면, 때려맞춰 보자면 사거리 100km 정도의 순항미사일은 stand-in weapon이라 스텔스기에만 통합하는 게 아닐까요?

[스트리트밥]

타이푼은 방공으로 라이트닝은 전폭기 겸용으로 머 그런건가요?

[위종민]

스톰 섀도우같은 무기는 타이푼에도 통합됐고, 후티 반군 공습할 때 LGB도 던지고 있으니 그건 아닌 것 같고 아마도 미사일 사거리가 짧아서 그런 게 아닐까 싶습니다.