MBDA’s Brimstone air-to-surface missile has successfully completed the first live test firing from a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

The live firing has been conducted as part of Phase 3 Enhancement (P3E) package for Typhoon.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Sensor and mission system upgrades are being provided to Typhoon as part of Project Centurion to ensure the smooth transition of Tornado GR4 capabilities for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF).

The UK’s Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 6 Typhoon has been designed to test the separation of the low-collateral, high-precision Brimstone weapon when it is released.

MBDA Typhoon Integration director Andy Bradford said: “This first firing is a major milestone for both the Brimstone and Typhoon programmes.

“Together Brimstone and Typhoon will provide the Royal Air Force and other Eurofighter nations with a world-beating strike capability to beyond 2040.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The firing was supported by BAE Systems, the UK Ministry of Defence, MBDA, QinetiQ, Eurofighter and the Eurofighter Partner companies Airbus and Leonardo.

It follows a series of around 40 flight trials conducted earlier this year. Few of these tests were conducted alongside pilots from the RAF’s 41(R) Squadron (Test and Evaluation Squadron) in a Combined Test Team approach.

"Together Brimstone and Typhoon will provide the Royal Air Force and other Eurofighter nations with a world-beating strike capability to beyond 2040."

A total of nine firings will be conducted to expand the launch and range capabilities of the missile.

Brimstone allows the Typhoon pilot to precisely attack fast-moving targets at range, enhancing the aircraft’s already highly potent air-to-surface capabilities.

Earlier this year, the Storm Shadow deep strike air-to-surface weapon and the Meteor ‘beyond visual range’ air-to-air missile successfully completed the flight trials programme.

Operational testing and evaluation of those capabilities are currently ongoing with the RAF ahead of entry into service next year.

Image: The UK’s Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 6 Typhoon has been designed to test the separation of the Brimstone weapon when it is released. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.