FIVE PRIME contractors are believed to have responded to the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) £725 million Staff Requirement (Air) 1238 for an air-launched anti-armour weapon.
British Aerospace is to offer its Typhoon; GEC has proposed the Brimstone; Hunting is to bid with its SWAARM; Thorn EMI is to present its TGW 3; and Texas Instruments will submit its Joint Stand off Weapon.
BAe's offering is a modified variant of its advanced short-range air-to-air missile (ASRAAM), which the company says gives the MoD numerous advantages in terms of commonality, while the Typhoon also retains a considerable air-to-air capability.
A combination of up to 18 Typhoon/ ASRAAM missiles can be carried on the Harrier GR7, which is the primary aircraft to carry the MoD's required anti-armour weapon.
Source: Flight International