Brimstone Missile

Full Specifications

Brimstone Missile: Precision Strike Air-to-Ground Weapon

The Brimstone missile is a precision-guided, air-to-ground weapon developed in the United Kingdom for engaging armored vehicles, fast-moving ground targets, and other high-value threats with minimal collateral damage. Originally designed for Royal Air Force strike aircraft, Brimstone has evolved into a highly capable family of missiles that includes dual-mode and extended-range variants. Its advanced guidance technology enables accurate engagement of both stationary and moving targets in complex battlefield environments.

Manufacturer

Brimstone is manufactured by MBDA UK, a leading European missile systems company. Development began during the late 1990s, with the missile entering operational service with the Royal Air Force in 2005. Since then, it has been integrated onto multiple aircraft and adapted for land-based launch systems.

Speed

The Brimstone missile travels at approximately Mach 1.3, allowing it to rapidly engage targets while reducing enemy reaction time.

Range

Depending on the launch platform and variant, Brimstone offers an effective range of approximately 20 km from helicopters and up to 60 km from fast-moving fixed-wing aircraft. The newer Brimstone 3 offers improved range and targeting performance.

Cost / Price

The estimated unit cost of a Brimstone missile varies by configuration and procurement contract but is generally estimated at approximately US$175,000 to US$250,000 per missile.

Brimstone employs a millimeter-wave radar seeker combined with semi-active laser guidance in dual-mode versions, providing exceptional accuracy against moving and stationary targets. Its tandem HEAT warhead is optimized to defeat modern armored vehicles while minimizing collateral damage. The missile has seen operational use in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine, demonstrating effectiveness in precision strike missions. Compatible with aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado GR4, AH-64 Apache, and selected unmanned and ground-launch systems, Brimstone remains one of the world’s leading precision anti-armor weapons.