The Brimstone, which was originally designed as a Hellfire rocket, is now an air-to–ground missile. It is designed for use from aircraft, helicopters, and ships, and uses semi-active laser and millimetre wave radar guidance. It can also be used in the air from drones, a concept known as "fire-and-forget." It has been deployed in several countries, including Saudi Arabia. The Brimstone series has actually produced more than 2000 copies.
In 2005, the Brimstone rocket was put into service. It was initially intended to be used in conjunction with aircraft like the Tornado GR.4, however, due to the rules of engagement during combat in Afghanistan, this was impossible. Brimstone had been planned for use by the RAF in conjunction with its Harrier GR.7 strike aircrafts. But, before they could make it available to them, it was removed from British fleet. The RAF had to come up with a solution to allow the GR.4 carry Brimstone without compromising its operational capabilities.
The Brimstone missile was designed to carry a tandem shaped-charge warhead. The warhead can penetrate both reactive and conventional armour. The missile can be fired from helicopters or aircraft, but it is also available as a naval version called the Sea Spear. The missile is also being made for UAVs including the MQ-9 Reaper attack helicopters and the AH64 Apache attack helicopters.
Brimstone missile can target fast-moving targets using semi-active laser guidance and millimetre wave radar guidance. This allows the missile and launcher to be directed towards the target. The target is then destroyed.
The dual guidance systems of the missile can be used to paint enemy targets even when there is no clear path. The missile has the ability to lock onto its target once it is launched. It can also programmed to search within a defined area. Lock-on after-launch, which protects the warhead from enemy countermeasures, is an important feature.
The Brimstone is capable of carrying a tandem shaped-charge HEAT warhead. The warhead can penetrate 800 mm of steel armor. The warhead can be used to attack material targets or troop concentrations. The missile can also destroy small boats, other aircraft, and boats. 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 developed under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR). Dual Mode Brimstone retains a millimetre wavelength seeker, but it also has semi-active laser guidance. The missile can be controlled by a second party thanks to its dual guidance system.
Brimstone missiles are a crucial component of the RAF's ground-to-air combat strategy. The Dual Mode Brimstone will be installed on Eurofighter aircraft and MBDA's Meteor Beyond Visual Range (MBVR) air-to-air missile. The missile will also be used by UK Army Air Corps aircraft on the Apache AH Mk.1 gunship fleet.