British weapons for the F-35

Richard Scott, London - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets
18 January 2016
Key Points

The integration of Storm Shadow on the F-35B as part of UK follow-on development has been dropped
The UK is looking to integrate the Meteor BVR air-to-air missile and the SPEAR Cap 3 stand-off precision guided weapon as part of Block 4

The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MoD) has abandoned plans to integrate the MBDA Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile on the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and is instead looking at the far future integration of a new long-range deep-strike weapon projected under the still embryonic Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) Cap 5 programme.

http://www.janes.com/article/57304/stor ... ation-plan

Very interesting. I think SPEAR 5 might be the same as the "Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon" that UK and France are beginning to flesh out with a new round of studies to be launched this year. Anyone has access to the full Jane's article to see if my guess is on the mark, and to see the rest?

Storm Shadow is a dead end because there aren't enough orders to keep production running. The next missile will be still born. European defense isn't spending enough money to afford it. They will buy whatever the US creates unless something drastic changes between now and then.

Clearly, the F-35 is going to have the largest selections of weapons ever available to a Modern Fighter.

The recently announced joint Japan-UK programme to develop a new air-to-air missile will be supported by a successfully conducted project to integrate Japanese seeker technologies into MBDA's Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo has revealed to IHS Jane's .

The project to integrate the Japanese technologies, developed by Mitsubishi Electric, into the Meteor BVRAAM was agreed in July 2014. The project centred on adapting and developing the Japanese technologies in order to enhance the accuracy and performance of the missile.

A spokesman from the Japanese MoD confirmed on 14 January that, based on this collaborative effort, Japan and the United Kingdom will now implement a "technological feasibility programme" to develop a Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) by "combining the UK's missile-related technologies and Japanese seeker technologies".

http://www.janes.com/article/57196/japa ... ct-with-uk


Meteor fitted with japanese AESA seeker (and possibly with smaller wings), with an eye on the F-35.
If someone has access to the whole piece...

The recently announced joint Japan-UK programme to develop a new air-to-air missile will be supported by a successfully conducted project to integrate Japanese seeker technologies into MBDA's Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in Tokyo has revealed to IHS Jane's.

The project to integrate the Japanese technologies, developed by Mitsubishi Electric, into the Meteor BVRAAM was agreed in July 2014. The project centred on adapting and developing the Japanese technologies in order to enhance the accuracy and performance of the missile.

A spokesman from the Japanese MoD confirmed on 14 January that, based on this collaborative effort, Japan and the United Kingdom will now implement a "technological feasibility programme" to develop a Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) by "combining the UK's missile-related technologies and Japanese seeker technologies".

The spokesman said that the joint project undertaken by Japan and the United Kingdom since July 2014 has "analysed the capability perspectives of combining the Meteor with Japanese active radio-wave seeker technologies. As a result, it was confirmed that a JNAAM equipped with the Japanese seeker technologies is technologically feasible".

The spokesman was speaking one week after UK defence secretary Michael Fallon visited Tokyo to discuss the terms of bilateral defence collaboration with his counterpart from Japan Gen Nakatani. Following meetings between the two officials, a joint statement was issued outlining co-operation on a new missile programme, although details were not immediately disclosed.

"Following the success of the first round of talks on the co-operative research project on the feasibility of a Joint New Air-to-Air Missile, the ministers confirmed discussions would move to the second stage," the statement said. This second stage, now confirmed by the Japanese MoD, will feature the "technological feasibility programme" before moving to a potential developmental stage.

ANALYSIS

Japan's interest in the Meteor programme stems from the missile systems' expected integration into the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, which both Japan and the United Kingdom are procuring.

Underscoring belief in Tokyo that Japanese technologies are a suitable complement for the system, the project to integrate Mitsubishi Electric into the programme was the first to be approved by Japan following the lifting of the country's self-imposed military export ban in April 2014.

This ban prohibited Japanese companies from entering international collaboration programmes such as the Meteor project, and in this sense the integration of the Japanese technologies into the programme will be positively regarded in Tokyo.

Thanks. Do you have access to the earlier article too?

Yep and phew is it a big one (edited with some extra key points bolded):

Key Points

-The integration of Storm Shadow on the F-35B as part of UK follow-on development has been dropped
-The UK is looking to integrate the Meteor BVR air-to-air missile and the SPEAR Cap 3 stand-off precision guided weapon as part of Block 4

The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MoD) has abandoned plans to integrate the MBDA Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile on the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and is instead looking at the far future integration of a new long-range deep-strike weapon projected under the still embryonic Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) Cap 5 programme.

Officials have also disclosed that while the United Kingdom still plans to integrate the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the projected SPEAR Cap 3 precision stand-off air-to-surface weapon on the F-35B, there is as yet no concrete programme agreed with the JSF Program Office.

As the sole Level 1 collaborative partner for the JSF programme's System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, the United Kingdom has negotiated the integration of the Raytheon Paveway IV precision-guided bomb and MBDA Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) as part of the Block 3 release. Paveway IV and ASRAAM, together with the Raytheon AIM-120C5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), constitute the UK's 'threshold' weapons fit.

Speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society's (RAeS's) 'Delivering Capability: A Balance Between Weapon and Platform' conference in November 2015, Iain Barker, part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory's (Dstl's) weapons integration team, said that the UK's status as Level 1 partner in the JSF programme had "allowed us to influence the F-35 design to get UK weapons on board". He added, "All were legacy weapons of known size and shape, allowing the [internal weapons] bay to be designed around the weapon shapes."

The original plan was for all three threshold weapons to be qualified for internal carriage on the F-35B. However, the 2010 decision to switch to the F-35C variant - subsequently reversed in 2012 - had repercussions for this plan according to Barker. "The two variants have different internal bays, there is no commonality," he explained. "So we had to start from scratch again on the B ... during this [period] we lost internal ASRAAM as a capability we would field." Accordingly, ASRAAM will now only be qualified as an external store.

"SDD weapon integration has had its challenges," added Barker. "Test envelope availability; differences in configuration approach; political direction; weapon updates; and programme concurrency.

"The UK has its own weapons, and DOSG [Defence Ordnance Safety Group] to work with. That required a redesign of how the UK would do flight test to get the appropriate data to support certification."

Internal integration of Paveway IV has encountered some challenges. "The battery firing device lanyard was found to be incompatible with the [weapon] rack," said Barker. "It was an easy fix, but would have to be fitted across all racks, so the decision was taken instead to modify the weapon lanyard."

Initial F-35B handling trials carrying ASRAAM and Paveway IV mass/shape models on external hardpoints began in late 2014. Paveway IV weapon separation testing began in June 2015 with the release of two inert weapons from the internal weapons bay of aircraft BF-03.

Under current plans, the F-35B is scheduled to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) at the end of 2018 with the three threshold weapons. An MoD spokesperson confirmed to IHS Jane's that "integration of the UK's System Development Demonstration (SDD's) weapons is currently proceeding to plan and [they] are on track to be cleared to support UK F-35 Lightning II IOC in December 2018".

Beyond the IOC, the United Kingdom has been developing plans for follow-on development involving the integration of additional weapons to maximise the aircraft capability. Storm Shadow was a threshold weapon in the original JSF Joint Operational Requirements Document, with external weapon stations 3 and 9 designed to accept the 3,000 lb store. However, Barker told the RAeS conference that integration has now been dropped. "We will not certify Storm Shadow on F-35," he said, adding that the plan "is that the aircraft will get SPEAR Cap 5 as a future deep fire capability".

The SPEAR Cap 5 capability requirement is currently planned to be met by a nascent Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon studied by MBDA under a French/UK co-operation project. IOC is envisaged in the period 2030-35.

Asked to comment on the rationale for not proceeding with Storm Shadow integration, the MoD told IHS Jane's that there "was never any formal requirement for Storm Shadow to be integrated on the UK's F-35 aircraft".

Meteor and SPEAR Cap 3 both remain in the frame for follow-on integration as part of the F-35 Block 4 programme. A cropped-fin Meteor concept has been developed by MBDA to enable carriage inside the F-35 bay; a feasibility study has subsequently concluded that there are no significant issues to overcome with regard to integration.

"With Meteor, neither the weapon nor the platform were designed with each other in mind," Barker said. "We're having to clip the wings in order to fit into the bay, and make some minor bay modifications. We will still deliver the capability we require."

SPEAR Cap 3 is designed to meet a UK requirement for a new mini cruise missile able to attack mobile/relocatable targets at medium stand-off range. MBDA has matured the so-called 100B concept - a network-enabled turbojet-powered 100 kg class weapon sized for a quad loadout in the F-35B internal bay - as part of the UK's sovereign complex weapons pipeline.

While the US-developed GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II has also been assessed in relation to the SPEAR Cap 3 requirement, the MoD is at this stage continuing to pursue the MBDA technical solution on the grounds that it is the only weapon option that fulfils all its key user requirements. The MoD now plans to fund MBDA for an extended Assessment Phase through to a SPEAR Cap 3 Main Gate decision planned for 2018.

"SPEAR Cap 3 is a weapon specifically designed for the F-35 platform," Barker said. "The F-35B is intended as the primary platform for this weapon."

The UK's aspiration is that weapons introduced under follow-on development should reach the front-line in the early-to-mid 2020s. However, Barker acknowledged to the RAeS audience that the programme timelines for follow-on weapon integration had yet to be finalised. "After SDD, we no longer have Level 1 status," he said. "It becomes all about aircraft offtake numbers. So we have to battle with all the other partner nations.

"The challenge for the UK will be to fit the UK weapons into that timeline to get what we need. The Block 4 programme is heavily dominated by the US customer, and it also requires modifications to the aircraft and the availability of the weapon. So Meteor will come first."

Barker added that the MoD is looking at what scope there is to drive down the cost and compress the schedule of follow-on integrations. "So we want to look at doing Meteor and SPEAR Cap 3 environmental testing together ideally to save on time and cost," he said.

The MoD told IHS Jane's in a statement,"Planning for F-35 Lightning II follow-on modernisation is currently being undertaken by the JSF Programme Office. It is intended that both Meteor and Spear Cap 3 integration will form part of this upgrade programme."

COMMENT

The decision not to proceed with Storm Shadow integration on the F-35B comes as the UK continues work to integrate Storm Shadow into the Royal Air Force's Typhoon FGR4 aircraft under the Phase 2 Enhancements (P2E) package. A first Storm Shadow launch from a Tornado was performed on a UK range in November 2015.

Integration of Storm Shadow into Typhoon under P2E is intended to lead to an IOC of August 2018, ensuring that the RAF's air-launched deep-strike capability is sustained after the retirement of the Tornado GR4 in 2019. However, the decision not to pursue integration of Storm Shadow on the F-35B means that the UK's Carrier Strike capability will be left devoid of a deep-strike weapon.

Thank you so much. Very interesting indeed.

SDBII requires bay mods so I guess all done together?

"...Meteor and SPEAR Cap 3 both remain in the frame for follow-on integration as part of the F-35 Block 4 programme. A cropped-fin Meteor concept has been developed by MBDA to enable carriage inside the F-35 bay; a feasibility study has subsequently concluded that there are no significant issues to overcome with regard to integration.

"With Meteor, neither the weapon nor the platform were designed with each other in mind," Barker said. "We're having to clip the wings in order to fit into the bay, and make some minor bay modifications. We will still deliver the capability we require."...

I don't remember who it was, but an officer a while ago stated firmly that they are looking at making a list of bay mods and getting them all done together in Block IV.

Thanks 'gabriele' - here is the quote: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=28254&p=307324&hilit=accommodate#p307324

"...“If the weapons bay has to be redesigned to accommodate [new] weapons, we’ll only be redesigning it one time,” Bogdan told reporters..."

UK Backs MBDA on Mini-Cruise Missile Requirement
18 Mar 2016 Andrew Chuter

"LONDON — Britain's Defence Ministry is expected to extend MBDA’s assessment phase contract on the SPEAR Capability 3 missile program, leaving no room for the moment for Raytheon Systems to secure a foothold in the requirement for it’s Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), according to a source familiar with the program. No formal decision has been announced to continue solely with development of MBDA’s Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) missile development...

...Selective Precision Effects at Range Capability 3, better known as SPEAR Cap 3, is one of several weapons being developed for the British military under the SPEAR umbrella....

...SPEAR Cap 3 is set to be part of the offensive armament of British F-35s to be operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

The standoff weapon is being designed to allow the F-35, and eventually maybe the RAF Typhoon, to attack a wide range of moving and stationary targets, day or night with a selective-effect warhead.

SPEAR Cap 3 is one of several weapons being developed for the British military under the SPEAR umbrella. SPEAR Cap 1 is a development of Raytheon’s Paveway IV precision-guided bomb, while Spear Cap 2 is an advanced version of MBDA’s Brimstone missile.

MBDA’s 2-meter long Spear Cap 3 weapon is a turbojet powered mini-cruise missile with a range beyond 100 km – beyond the range of many potentially hostile air defense systems .

It’s would be rival, the SDB II, is a winged unpowered bomb with a range in excess of 40 miles. The weapon has been purchased by the US military and is scheduled to be operational starting with the F-15 with other combat jets, including the F-35, to follow. Integration activities are already underway.

The National Audit Office, the Governments spending watchdog, effectively endorsed the MBDA program in its major projects report released late last year, saying that the SDB II fell short on a number of the key user requirements. There was a “clear operational analysis that supports the UK procurement of SPEAR Cap 3,” said the NAO.

Raytheon executives though have previously emphasized the cost-benefits of their weapon as well as it’s local production possibilities as reasons why the British should allow the weapon to compete.

Company executives have said components built in the UK could be part of the global supply chain for all SDB II’s. A purchase could save the British over £500 million compared with the rival MBDA weapon, they have previously said.

Last year Taylor Lawrence, the president of Raytheon Missile Systems, told Defense News in an interview at the Paris Air Show that the company was open to developing a powered version of the SDB II to meet the requirement if the British showed interest in it.

Under a UK government arrangement with MBDA and other local complex weapons suppliers crafted in 2006 competition was normally excluded for companies outside the arrangement .

The complex weapons policy is aimed at helping preserve local skills and technologies while also retaining operational sovereignty."

Source: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /81862964/

UK orders advanced ASRAAM weapons for F-35B
16 Aug 2016 Beth Stevenson

"MBDA has been awarded a £184 million ($238 million) contract for the provision of advanced short range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAMs) for the UK’s Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

The contract covers the purchase of a new variant of the weapon currently in operation with the Royal Air Force on its Panavia Tornado GR4s and Eurofighter Typhoons. Integration onto the F-35B will be covered under a separate contract, the Ministry of Defence says.

Announced on 16 August, the deal builds on a £300 million award to MBDA in September 2015 to support a Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP) for the development of the new variant of the weapon for the RAF’s Typhoons, and will add to the stockpile of a new common ASRAAM for the MoD. This will enter service on the Typhoon in 2018.

The F-35 is due to reach initial operational capability for land-based operations with the UK in December 2018, but the MoD plans to use the current ASRAAM missile on the Lightning II until 2022. The point at which the production lines will cross over from the older to the newer variant has yet to be determined.

Integration of the CSP version of the ASRAAM on the UK’s F-35s will come under the Block 4 software upgrade that the aircraft will undergo; it is currently in the 3i configuration, and will subsequently evolve to a 3F standard.

The first batch of the current ASRAAM variant was delivered to the USA in January, ahead of flight trials on board the F-35, supported by UK weapons integration lead BAE Systems.

The test examples were the first British-built missiles to be installed on the JSF, and are undergoing flight trials from NAS Patuxent River in Maryland and Edwards AFB in California. The RAF’s F-35B test and evaluation unit, 17 Sqn, is based at the latter location.

Initial tests were to include environmental data gathering, safe separation from the aircraft, weapon integration testing, firing trials and target engagement...."

Source: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... 5b-428544/

Britain Stockpiles New ASRAAM Missiles for the F-35
16 Aug 2016 Andrew Chuter

"LONDON — Britain is spending £184 million ($239 million) stockpiling a new version of the ASRAAM short range air-to-air missiles ahead of equipping the F-35B Lightning II combat jet with the weapon, the Ministry of Defence said Aug 16.

The Ministry of Defence said the new order would see F-35s operated by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy start to use an updated version of the missile beyond 2022.

The order for additional ASRAAM’s follows an announcement last September of a £300 million deal with missile maker MBDA to design and build an initial batch of updated weapons.

Typhoon and Tornado combat jets are already cleared to carry the current version of ASRAAM.

The updated variant of the missile is expected to enter service on the Typhoon in 2018, the MoD said in a statement.

British F-35s will carry the current version of ASRAAM until 2022 at which point it will be taken out of service...."

Source: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defens ... /88827092/

No Storm Shadow for the F-35B is going to curtail the QE II Class's usefulness a bit. Might have to buy JASSM or whatever is in the US pipeline for Block IV to provide some capability at least. And no ASRAAM internally seems no good either...