F-35B fighter jet flies with 62 mile-range Spear mini-cruise missile in test

A U.S.-based F-35B test jet flew for the first time with four MBDA Spear 3 missiles loaded.

The milestone marks the initial integration of the mini-cruise missile with the stealth fighter.

Next up are mission-system and jettison trials ahead of eventual UK fleet deployment.

The weapon will give the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy a long-range precision strike option against land and sea targets.