The Brimstone, which was originally designed as a Hellfire rocket, is now an air-to–ground missile. It can be used by aircraft, helicopters and ships and has semi-active laser guidance and millimetre wave radar guidance. It can also work from drones. This is called "fireand-forget". It has been used in numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia. In fact, there have been over 2000 examples of the Brimstone series.
In 2005, the Brimstone rocket was put into service. Initially, it was designed to be used with aircraft such as the Tornado GR.4, but because of the rules of engagement during air-to-ground combat in Afghanistan, this was not possible. Brimstone was to be used with the RAF's Harrier GR.7 Strike Jets. However, this was not possible due to it being removed from British fleet. This forced the RAF into finding a solution that would allow GR.4 to carry Brimstone while maintaining its operational capability.
The Brimstone Missile was built to carry a tandem shaped charge warhead. The warhead has the ability to penetrate all known reactive armor, as well traditional armour. It is designed to be fired from aircraft or helicopters, but is also available in a naval version, 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 has semi-active radar and millimetrewave (mmW), radar guidance that can be used to target fast moving targets. This allows the missile and launcher to be directed towards the target. The target is destroyed.
The missile's dual guided systems can pinpoint enemy targets even in complex environments. After launch, the missile can lock onto its target. It can also be programmed to search in a specified area. A lock-on after-launch is an important feature of the missile, as the warhead can withstand enemy countermeasures.
The Brimstone can be equipped with a tandem shaped charge HEAT warhead. The warhead is capable of piercing 800 mm of steel armor. The warhead can be used to attack material targets or troop concentrations. The missile can also destroy small ships, boats, and aircraft. It has been used in wars in Yemen, Libya, and was recently deployed by Ukrainian forces to combat Russian forces.
The Brimstone has dual guidance system, making it one of few missiles that use them. The Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB), has been supplied by MBDA to Britain. The DMB developed as an Urgent Operational Requirement. Dual Mode Brimstone still has the millimetre wave seeker and also features a semi-active laser navigation system. A second party can steer the missile with its dual guidance system.
Brimstone's missile series is a key part of the RAF air-to–ground combat strategy. Dual Mode Brimstone will also be installed on Eurofighter aircraft as well as MBDA's Meteor Beyond Visual Range(MBVR) air to-air missile. UK Army Air Corps aircraft using the Apache AH Mk.1 gunship fleet will also use this missile.