Meteor (missile)

Meteor (missile)
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Name	Meteor
Caption	A Meteor integrated on a Saab JAS 39 Gripen
Type	Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Origin	Multinational (European)
Used by	See #Operators
Manufacturer	MBDA
Service	2016–present
Engine	Ramjet (solid-fuel Variable flow ducted rocket)
Weight	190 kg (419 lb)
Length	3.65 m (12.0 ft)
Diameter	0.178 m (7.0 in)
Speed	>Mach 4
Vehicle range	>200 km (124 mi) (estimated)
Guidance	Inertial, active radar seeker with two-way data link
Launch platform	Aircraft

Meteor (missile). The Meteor is a next-generation, active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the European consortium MBDA. Designed to equip the latest generation of combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen, it provides a decisive operational advantage through its unique ramjet propulsion system. Entering service in 2016, it is a cornerstone of the air combat capabilities for several NATO and allied air forces, offering unparalleled performance against modern threats.

Development and design

The Meteor program was initiated in the 1990s to meet a joint requirement from several European nations for a superior long-range air-to-air weapon, driven by the need to counter advanced threats like the Russian R-77 and future developments. The core consortium, managed by MBDA UK as the prime contractor, includes key partners like Saab Bofors Dynamics of Sweden, Diehl Defence of Germany, and Sener of Spain, with significant funding and technical input from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Sweden. Its revolutionary design centers on a solid-fueled variable flow ducted rocket (VFDR) ramjet motor, developed by BAE Systems and Roketsan, which allows the missile to sustain high speed and maneuverability at extreme ranges where traditional rocket motors burn out. Guidance is provided by an active radar seeker from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, supported by a two-way data link for mid-course updates from the launch aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon's Captor-E radar.

Operational history

The Meteor achieved initial operational capability with the Swedish Air Force on its Saab JAS 39 Gripen in 2016, following extensive testing at ranges like the Vidsel Test Range. This was followed by integration and service entry on the Royal Air Force's and Italian Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, and the French Air Force's Dassault Rafale. The missile has been a key component in several major multinational exercises, including Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, where its performance characteristics were demonstrated in simulated high-threat environments. In 2021, the Royal Air Force confirmed a live-fire engagement success during a test over the Hebrides Range, validating its capability against a maneuvering target. The weapon system is continuously updated through software improvements coordinated by MBDA and the partner nations' defense ministries.

Variants

The primary variant is the standard Meteor for integration on modern Western combat aircraft. A specific integration effort exists for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, involving modifications to the missile's fuselage and software to operate from the internal weapons bay of the F-35A and F-35B models, with testing led by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Development of a potential surface-launched variant, sometimes suggested for future ground-based air defense systems, has been discussed but not formally launched. All variants share the common ramjet propulsion and seeker technology, with differences primarily in aircraft-specific interfaces and launch protocols.

Specifications

The Meteor is approximately 3.65 meters in length, with a body diameter of 0.178 meters and a launch weight of 190 kilograms. It is propelled by a throttleable solid-fuel variable flow ducted rocket ramjet, enabling sustained speeds in excess of Mach 4. Its effective engagement range is classified but is consistently estimated to exceed 200 kilometers, significantly outperforming legacy systems like the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The guidance system combines an inertial navigation system with an active Ku-band radar seeker, and it utilizes a two-way data link for target updates. The warhead is a lethal focused-fragmentation type triggered by a proximity fuze.

Operators

* France – French Air and Space Force (on Dassault Rafale) * Germany – German Air Force (on Eurofighter Typhoon) * Italy – Italian Air Force (on Eurofighter Typhoon) * Spain – Spanish Air and Space Force (on Eurofighter Typhoon) * Sweden – Swedish Air Force (on Saab JAS 39 Gripen) * United Kingdom – Royal Air Force (on Eurofighter Typhoon); also ordered for the Royal Navy's F-35B * Future Operators: The missile has also been selected by several export customers, including the Qatar Emiri Air Force for its Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale aircraft, and the Republic of Korea Air Force.

Category:Air-to-air missiles