Delivering a difference
A variety of military capability is being developed or supported through the Portfolio Management Agreement. These current and future military capabilities ensure the UK Armed Forces have both Operational Advantage and Freedom of Action wherever and whenever they face hostile threats.
Air Defence
All three services need to defend themselves against threats from the air, be they from missiles, helicopters, UAVs or fast jets. MBDA is developing advanced air defence solutions for the Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS) requirement. For the Royal Navy the solution to the FLAADS requirement is the Sea Ceptor missile system using the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM). The UK will likewise use a CAMM solution as their future ground based air defence capability. CAMM is also providing the technology to sustain the Royal Air Force’s Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) keeping this highly capable missile at the forefront of air combat.
The Royal Air Force Typhoon fast jet force will be equipped with the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile which has an unrivalled range giving the RAF the combat edge against sophisticated air threats.
Surface Attack
The ability to strike targets from the air is a key capability for a wide variety of military tasks. MBDA provides a number of uniquely precise missiles with Brimstone having being used in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq in support of ground troops. This short range weapon is being further developed under the SPEAR Capability 2 requirement with the latest iteration of that missile being offered as the MBDA solution for the Future Attack Helicopter Weapon. For the next generation of medium range strike weapons, the new SPEAR missile is MBDA’s proposal to fulfill the MoD’s SPEAR Capability 3 requirement. Finally, Storm Shadow which has seen service in Iraq and Libya will undergo a midlife refurbishment to maintain its capability in the coming years.
Maritime Superiority
MBDA has extensive experience in delivering European collaborative projects that deliver military capability beyond the reach of an individual nation. The Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers operate MBDA’s Sea Viper air defence system using the Aster 15 and 30 missiles. The latest example of international collaboration is the Sea Venom/ANL missile being developed to meet the requirements of the British and French navies for a future helicopter-launched anti-ship missile.
In-Service Support
MBDA weapons are deployed on operations defending the UK homeland, Overseas Territories and wherever else around the globe they are required. Supporting our weapons is therefore a vital activity and one where the benefits of the PMA also arise. The Unified Support Environment was developed to bring benefits through the reduction in support workload and administrative costs so that savings are made. ASRAAM and Brimstone are both managed under this approach with the possibility of extending this to other systems in the inventory.
