Zarvan
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25 July 2016
A Brimstone missile being fired from an AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter at the US Army Yuma Proving Grounds during the UK MoD-sponsored KEME firing trials in June 2016. Source: Boeing
Key Points
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 11 July confirmed that the army will acquire 50 new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters under a USD2.3 billion Foreign Military Sales contract agreed between the UK and US governments. The AH-64E is expected to enter service with the Army Air Corps in 2022.
The latest spiral development of Brimstone - designated 'Brimstone 2' in UK Royal Air Force (RAF) service - has now entered service with the RAF's Tornado GR4 multirole combat aircraft, and going forward will equip the Typhoon FGR4 aircraft from December 2018 and Reaper MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft system.
Brimstone 2 adds significant capability over preceding millimetric wave (mmW) and dual mode (semi-active laser [SAL]/mmW) Brimstone developments. This includes a new, more robust modular airframe, a new insensitive munition (IM)-compliant Vulcan rocket motor sourced from Roxel, and an IM-compliant multi-effects, tandem shaped-charge warhead manufactured by MBDA subsidiary TDW in Germany. Brimstone 2 also introduces an enhanced version of the MBDA-developed dual-mode seeker, while improved autopilot algorithms increase the missile's engagement envelope, providing for an increased high off-boresight engagement capability and significantly extended range for low-level release.
MBDA is offering a derivative of this missile, which it is marketing as Future Attack Helicopter Weapon (FAHW), to meet the specific requirements of the UK's new AH-64E platform.
This includes development in "close concert with the [Ministry of Defence] MoD" of a new mmW attack mode specifically for non-armoured targets in land and sea domains, but will not compromise Brimstone's anti-armour capability; a cockpit-selectable trajectory, which will allow line-of-sight engagement (flat trajectory) and high and low missile flight profiles to avoid close-in obstacles; a cockpit-selectable capability that allows the pilot to determine the elevation and impact angle on the target to maximise weapon effect; and a new set of warhead 'modes, which includes delayed, airburst, impact and proximity fuzing.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
(389 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/62501/mbda-proposes-brimstone-derivative-for-future-uk-apache-ah-64e
A Brimstone missile being fired from an AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter at the US Army Yuma Proving Grounds during the UK MoD-sponsored KEME firing trials in June 2016. Source: Boeing
Key Points
- Trial firings from an AH-64E were conducted at Yuma Proving Grounds in June
- MBDA is also developing a common intelligent launcher interface solution for Brimstone
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 11 July confirmed that the army will acquire 50 new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters under a USD2.3 billion Foreign Military Sales contract agreed between the UK and US governments. The AH-64E is expected to enter service with the Army Air Corps in 2022.
The latest spiral development of Brimstone - designated 'Brimstone 2' in UK Royal Air Force (RAF) service - has now entered service with the RAF's Tornado GR4 multirole combat aircraft, and going forward will equip the Typhoon FGR4 aircraft from December 2018 and Reaper MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft system.
Brimstone 2 adds significant capability over preceding millimetric wave (mmW) and dual mode (semi-active laser [SAL]/mmW) Brimstone developments. This includes a new, more robust modular airframe, a new insensitive munition (IM)-compliant Vulcan rocket motor sourced from Roxel, and an IM-compliant multi-effects, tandem shaped-charge warhead manufactured by MBDA subsidiary TDW in Germany. Brimstone 2 also introduces an enhanced version of the MBDA-developed dual-mode seeker, while improved autopilot algorithms increase the missile's engagement envelope, providing for an increased high off-boresight engagement capability and significantly extended range for low-level release.
MBDA is offering a derivative of this missile, which it is marketing as Future Attack Helicopter Weapon (FAHW), to meet the specific requirements of the UK's new AH-64E platform.
This includes development in "close concert with the [Ministry of Defence] MoD" of a new mmW attack mode specifically for non-armoured targets in land and sea domains, but will not compromise Brimstone's anti-armour capability; a cockpit-selectable trajectory, which will allow line-of-sight engagement (flat trajectory) and high and low missile flight profiles to avoid close-in obstacles; a cockpit-selectable capability that allows the pilot to determine the elevation and impact angle on the target to maximise weapon effect; and a new set of warhead 'modes, which includes delayed, airburst, impact and proximity fuzing.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
(389 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/62501/mbda-proposes-brimstone-derivative-for-future-uk-apache-ah-64e
