The original Brimstone was designed to be a Hellfire missile. It is now a high-performance, air-to-ground missile. It can be operated from both aircraft and helicopters. It can also be used in the air from drones, a concept known as "fire-and-forget." It has been used in many countries including Saudi Arabia and the UK. The Brimstone series actually has over 2000 examples.
The Brimstone missile entered service for the first time in 2005. 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. Brimstone was intended to be used in combination with Harrier GR.7 fighter jets by the RAF, but this was canceled before they could configure it. The RAF was forced to find a solution which would allow the GR.4 Brimstone to be carried without compromising the aircraft’s operational capabilities.
The Brimstone was created to carry a tandem, shaped-charge warhead. The warhead is capable of piercing all reactive armour as well as traditional armour. The warhead is intended to be fired from aircraft and helicopters but can also be used in a naval-based version, the Sea Spear. The missile will also be used to attack UAVs such the MQ-9 Reaper (attack helicopter) and AH64 Apache attack helicopters (UAVs).
Brimstone missile can target fast-moving targets using semi-active laser guidance and millimetre wave radar guidance. This enables the missile to be guided towards the target and paint a laser spot on the target, minimizing the exposure of the launch aircraft. The target then gets destroyed.
The missile's dual guidance systems are capable of painting specific enemy targets, even in cluttered environments. The missile has the ability to lock onto its target once it is launched. It can also be programmed to search in a specified area. A lock-on function after launch is important as it allows the warhead to withstand enemy countermeasures.
The Brimstone is capable of carrying a tandem shaped-charge HEAT warhead. The warhead can penetrate steel armor up to 800mm in diameter. 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 is one of the few missiles to use dual guidance systems. Britain has the Dual Mode Brimstone contract with MBDA. The DMB was built under an Urgent Operational Requirement. The Dual Mode Brimstone retains the millimetre wave seeker, but also has a semi-active laser guidance system. A second party can steer the missile with 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 is to be mounted on Eurofighter planes and MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range, (MBVR), air-to-air missile. The missile will be used on the Apache AH Mk.1 gunship fleet by UK Army Air Corps aircraft.