The UK Ministry of Defence has revealed plans for a new long-range strike weapon under the codename Project Brakestop, which aims to produce a minimum of 20 units per month.
According to a Prior Information Notice published on 25 September 2024, this one-way attack system will be capable of targeting enemy assets from over 500km away and operating in high-threat tactical environments.
The system, referred to in the notice as a One-Way Effector (OWE) Heavy, is designed to strike targets accurately while navigating through a GNSS-denied environment and withstanding electromagnetic warfare.
The concept behind the Brakestop project closely resembles Ukraine’s Palianytsia drone, an improvised wartime cruise missile. The project specifications clearly reflect combat-driven requirements, calling for the development of a cruise missile, ballistic missile, or drone capable of striking ground targets.
The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed whether this will be a missile, drone, or another form of delivery system, but the emphasis is placed on flexibility and adaptability.
“The User requires a cost-effective, long-range (500km) One Way Effector Heavy, capable of being safely ground launched from a mobile platform in a high-threat tactical environment,”
states the notice.
According to the MoD’s outline, the system is expected to:
- Deliver a 200-300kg payload (similar to the Mk 82 bomb) over a 600km range
- Achieve speeds of around 600km/h
- Be launched safely from a mobile platform in a high-threat environment, with reduced detection probability
- Operate via either a ballistic trajectory or low-level cruise mode
- Navigate in a GNSS-denied environment with targeted end-stage guidance.
The MoD places a strong emphasis on the system’s ability to survive in complex environments. The OWE Heavy must operate under conditions that involve electromagnetic environments, all while remaining resistant to EW attacks and spoofing. This ensures its effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios where such measures are increasingly prevalent.
The Ministry of Defence has laid out requirements for the system to be scalable in its production, capable of delivering at least 20 units per month, with the potential for further expansion if needed. “Manufacturing shall be scalable to meet requirements at a minimum of 20 units-per-month, with the ability to further increase,” the MoD specifies.
This scalability focuses on delivering results quickly, with the MoD prioritising efficient production over intricate design details, in order to meet the growing need for rapid deployment.
While the exact nature of the delivery system is not confirmed, the project allows for flexibility. Whether a missile, drone, or another technology, the system must operate efficiently under a range of conditions. “This can be done via (ballistic or low-level cruise) and could use a missile a drone or another technology to deliver effect,” the notice explains.
This flexibility extends to the system’s ability to launch from mobile platforms, providing an adaptable response to the modern battlefield’s changing needs.
As part of the development process, the Ministry of Defence will hold an industry day on 9 October 2024 in London. This event is designed to allow industry participants to showcase their potential solutions to different aspects of the project, including propulsion systems, navigation, targeting, and launcher systems.
Project Brakestop is operating on an ambitious timeline, aiming for a demonstration firing by Q3 2025 and potential serial production from Q4 2025.
“There is an aggressive timeline of a demonstration firing in Q2 2025 and, subject to contract, potential serial production from Q3 2025, producing a minimum around 20 platforms per month.”
Photo: Defense Express Illustrative photo / open source
Source: ukdj