MBDA Makes Advances in AI-based Collaboration for SPEAR Missiles

MBDA announced that it has advanced its Orchestrike AI, with the SPEAR missile family becoming the first to integrate AI-driven collaboration while keeping human oversight.

Orchestrike technology is designed to enhance the performance of SPEAR missiles by enabling AI-driven coordination and cooperation between the missiles and the pilot of the launch aircraft. This system allows the missiles to react to emerging threats and collaborate with the pilot to address tactical challenges, improving both missile and platform survivability as well as overall mission effectiveness. The technology ensures that all operations remain under the control of the operator, adhering to legal and ethical standards, MBDA said.

Since its introduction at the Paris Air Show in 2023, MBDA has rapidly developed Orchestrike from its initial concept into a deployable capability within twelve months. Key advancements include refining AI algorithms, enhancing missile-to-missile datalinks, and integrating these elements into the SPEAR missile system.

At the Farnborough International Airshow, MBDA will showcase an Orchestrike digital-twin simulator. This simulator, featuring real missile AI and new network-enabled datalinks, will allow military users to experience a simulated raid where missiles react dynamically to tactical changes thanks to the Orchestrike AI capabilities.

The SPEAR missile family, developed by MBDA, is designed to address air force needs for defeating and suppressing enemy air defenses by targeting moving objects in all weather conditions and at stand-off ranges. The missile's compact size allows up to eight SPEAR missiles to be carried within a single F-35 weapon bay.

MBDA also envisions extending Orchestrike technology to other munitions equipped with network-enabled datalinks in the future.