The Brimstone, originally designed to attack Hellfire missiles, is an air-to ground missile with high performance. It can be operated from both aircraft and helicopters. You can also use it in the air using drones. This concept is called "fire-and forget." It has been deployed in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UK. In fact, the Brimstone series has produced over 2000 examples.
In 2005, the Brimstone rocket was put into service. It was originally designed to be used alongside aircraft such as Tornado GR.4. However, because of Afghanistan's rules of engagement, this was not possible. The RAF had planned to use Brimstone with its Harrier GR.7 strike jets, but it was removed from the British fleet before they could be configured to use it. This forced the RAF into finding a solution that would allow GR.4 to carry Brimstone while maintaining its operational capability.
The Brimstone Missile was built to carry a tandem shaped charge warhead. The warhead can penetrate both reactive and conventional armour. It can be fired from an aircraft or helicopter, but also in a naval variant, the Sea Spear. The missile can also be used on UAVs like the MQ-9 Reaper, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
Semi-active laser and millimetre-wave (mmW) radar guidance allow the Brimstone missile to target fast-moving targets. This allows the missile to be directed towards the target and create a laser spot on it, minimising the exposure of its launch aircraft. The target is destroyed.
The dual guidance systems of the missile can be used to paint enemy targets even when there is no clear path. After launch, the missile can lock onto its target. It can also be programmed to search in a specified area. Lock-on after-launch, which protects the warhead from enemy countermeasures, is an important feature.
The Brimstone can carry a tandem-shaped-charge HEAT warhead. The warhead can penetrate armor made of 800 mm steel. The warhead can also engage material targets, troop concentrations and other targets. It can also destroy small boats, boats and other aircraft. It is currently used in the wars on Yemen and Libya. Recently, it was deployed by Ukrainian forces against Russian troops.
The Brimstone uses dual guidance systems, which is rare for missiles. MBDA has contracted to supply the Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) to Britain. The DMB was created under an Urgent Operational Requirement. Dual Mode Brimstone still has the millimetre wave seeker and also features a semi-active laser navigation system. The missile can be controlled by a second party thanks to its dual guidance system.
The Brimstone series of missiles is a key component of the RAF's air-to-ground combat strategy. Dual Mode Brimstone, which will be used on Eurofighter and MBDA's Meteor Beyond Visual Range air-to–air missile, will be installed. UK Army Air Corps aircraft will also use the missile on their Apache AH Mk.1 gunship fleet.