MBDA Wins New Brimstone Orders

The outstanding and unique capabilities of Dual Mode Brimstone (DM Brimstone), as the strike weapon of choice for the Royal Air Force (RAF), have resulted in an additional order for MBDA from the Ministry of Defence on the 11th of August.. A first contract for additional DM Brimstones was placed on MBDA in December 2010 to replenish the original UOR stock. The onset of operations in Libya and ongoing operations in Afghanistan saw increasing demand for the established DM Brimstone inventory. MBDA’s Lostock and Henlow facilities and their employees demonstrated flexibility and dedication to supply the Royal Air Force, and prove the military value of an indigenous industrial base developing for, and supporting, the UK Armed Forces. To achieve the demanding requirement to sustain simultaneous theatres of operation, MBDA demonstrated its ability to ‘surge’ supply when called upon. MBDA’s UK production facilities started deliveries four months earlier and with 50% greater throughput than in the contract plan. In addition, throughput of missiles returned back to the operational theatres saw deliveries three times more than was planned in the same timeframe. DM Brimstone has been used successfully against a variety of different targets in support of Operation ELLAMY and Operation HERRICK, providing precision effects combined with very low collateral damage, in line with restrictive Rules of Engagement, achieving greater than 98% mission success. Key targets have included Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Pick-up Trucks with Rocket Launchers and Coastal Radar Antenna.