British Army Debuts AI Targeting Spear for Modern Warfare

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The British Army has introduced an artificial intelligence-enhanced targeting system for its SPEAR precision-strike missile family, marking a significant advancement in digital warfare and networked lethality.

At the Farnborough Air Show and through industry briefings, MBDA UK confirmed that its SPEAR missile system, Select Precision Effects At Range, is now integrated with its Orchestrike AI tool. Orchestrike enables missiles to communicate not only with their launch aircraft but also with each other and third-party sensors. This allows for real-time target reallocation, synchronised attacks, and adaptive flight paths to evade enemy defences. MBDA’s Greg Nunn stated that these capabilities significantly enhance operational effectiveness in simulated combat scenarios.

In parallel, the British Army has launched Project ASGARD, a £1 billion Digital Targeting Web aimed at linking sensors, commanders, and strike platforms across land, air, sea, and cyber domains. General Sir Roly Walker introduced the system at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference, stating that tasks which once took hours can now be completed in minutes. ASGARD has already seen operational testing in NATO deployments in Estonia, underscoring its readiness for real-world applications.

ASGARD leverages AI-assisted edge computing through enhanced Bowman radios, which intelligently prioritise and distribute targeting data across the battlefield. This allows for accelerated strike cycles, improved threat assessment, and ongoing feedback that refines system performance in real time.

Together, the integration of SPEAR-Orchestrike with ASGARD creates what defence experts call a “kill web”, an interconnected digital ecosystem where missiles, drones, and sensors operate cohesively under human oversight. This networked model allows for faster, more precise, and adaptive engagements, a necessity in today’s high-threat operational environments.

From a centre-right perspective, this represents a pragmatic and innovative shift in defence policy. Rather than relying on costly, traditional platforms, the British Army is investing in smarter, scalable solutions that deliver impact through data and AI. The approach is both economically sensible and strategically necessary, given evolving threats from peer adversaries.

However, delivering on this vision requires sustained investment in infrastructure, supply chains, and training. Without adequate resourcing, the transformative potential of AI-led targeting may be undermined by practical limitations.

In summary, the British Army’s integration of AI into its missile and targeting systems signals a decisive move toward modern, agile warfare. The combination of the SPEAR missile family and ASGARD digital network places the UK at the forefront of battlefield innovation, equipped not just to respond, but to outpace future threats.