Back last December, MBDA and Lockheed Martin, the U.S. prime contractor for the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter, “completed a series of critical ground-based integration tests” to bring the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) closer to operational use on the F-35A.
Testing at Edwards AFB included ground-vibration work and internal bay fit checks to confirm that the missile can be safely stowed and deployed from the F-35A’s internal weapons bay, preserving the aircraft’s valuable stealth profile.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies a U.S. Air Force F-35 during the Dubai Airshow, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 13, 2023. The U.S. maintains a highly agile fighting force, which leverages the most advanced training and platforms to dominate the warfighting landscape for the long-term security and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a bilateral air exercise with Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters over the Pacific Ocean, April 14, 2023. Bilateral operations exemplify the U.S. and Japan alliance’s ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats within the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)
“Conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, the ground vibration testing and fit checks validated key hardware responses between the 5th Generation fighter aircraft and missile — a pivotal step before airborne tests begin,” Lockheed said.
“Engineers meticulously evaluated the data collected from the trials to confirm the safe stowage and deployment of the missile from the F-35A’s internal weapons bay, preserving the aircraft’s valuable stealth profile,” Lockheed added on its website.
Engineers have one final ground test to perform before they begin flight testing. The Meteor will be integrated into the aircraft’s Block 4 upgrade package and should be operational by the 2030s.
The RAF And Italy Are Already Testing the Meteor On F-35s
The Royal Air Force announced earlier last year the successful Meteor flight tests on an F-35B, which the UK is leading the integration campaign for, while Italy is sponsoring integration onto the F-35A.
“This milestone is a testament to the effective collaboration between the multinational governmental and industrial partnerships that we have in place. Inclusion of Meteor onto the Lightning II will bring this formidable air combat capability to the UK and to the burgeoning F-35 community, significantly enhancing security among allies,” said Air Commodore Al Roberts, RAF’s head of Air-to-Air Missiles.
The 354th Fighter Wing conducts a 75-fighter jet formation at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2022, in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Anniversary. This capabilities demonstration included F-35A Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor aircraft from across Pacific Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gary Hilton)
Meet the MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile
The MBDA Meteor is a pioneering beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, renowned for its use of a solid-fuel ramjet engine to achieve superior speed (over Mach 4) and a 120-200 km+ range.
This “throttleable” air-breathing motor provides continuous thrust throughout flight, resulting in a much larger “no-escape zone” than conventional rockets.
The propulsion system uses a Solid Fuel Variable-Flow Ducted Rocket, commonly known as a ramjet.
This system takes in air and throttles thrust, allowing the missile to save fuel for the endgame maneuver, unlike traditional motors that burn out early.
The Meteor missile is 3.7m (12ft 1 in) long, weighs 190kg (418 lbs.), and has a cropped fin, a modification from the original version, so that it would fit inside the F-35’s internal weapons bay.
“METEOR is the next generation Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system designed to revolutionize air-to-air combat in the 21st century,” the company’s website says. The six countries (the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden) that developed it share “a common need to defeat the threats of today and in the future.”
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performs a tactical pitch maneuver during a rehearsal flight over Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 11, 2023. The F-35 Demo Team performs rehearsal flights regularly to maintain flying certifications and to uphold and maintain their mission and Air Force recruiting standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish)
“This ‘ramjet’ motor provides the missile with thrust all the way to target intercept, providing the largest No Escape Zone of any air-to-air missile system, several times greater than current MRAAMs. The fragmentation warhead ensures maximum lethality,” MBDA added.
“With its advanced active radar seeker, Meteor engages current and future air targets, ranging from fast jets to UAVs and cruise missiles, day or night, in all weather and in severe electronic warfare environments. Meteor is network-enabled with a two-way data link.”
The company added that the Meteor will be integrated on the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and Gripen fighters. It is also compatible with other advanced fighter aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
South Korea is also testing the missile for use on its domestically developed KF-21 Boramae fighter.
The Cost of the Meteor Will Be Expensive
The Meteor does have some limitations. One of its drawbacks is its expense. Its advanced propulsion and electronics make it more expensive than older, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Estimates currently range about $2.2 million per missile, making it one of the most expensive air-to-air missiles.
Integration is complex, requiring deep access to aircraft mission systems—which is why it is not universally available.
The Meteor’s effectiveness can be degraded by sophisticated electronic countermeasures, as with all radar-guided missiles, though its energy advantage helps mitigate this risk.
The Meteor Is Comparable to the Chinese PL-15 BVRAAM
The Chinese PL-15 missile was developed in 2011 and first fielded in 2016. It is an advanced version of the PL-12 BVRAAM, which can reach speeds of Mach 5. It boasts a maximum range of 200 km to 300 km, with various sources reporting different figures. The missile is equipped with a two-way datalink that enables guidance updates between the missile and the launching aircraft.
The missile features an active electronically scanned array radar and has a range comparable to that of the Russian R-37 missile. It is 4 meters long and incorporates a dual-thrust rocket motor, capable of Mach 4+ speed.
“The PL-15 effectively increases Chinese anti-access/area denial capability by targeting key ‘enabler’ targets, such as aerial refueling and AEW&C aircraft,” according to Tradoc’s website.
Justin Bronk wrote in a study for the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) that the “PL-15 outranges the latest AIM-120D model” but isn’t more capable than the Meteor.
Bronk added that the PL-15 has “a comparable maximum range to the Meteor,” but he further observes that “the European weapon will likely retain a significantly larger no-escape zone and a much higher probability of kill beyond 100 km due to its ramjet propulsion system.”
What the Meteor Will Mean for The F-35
Integrating the Meteor BVRAAM on the F-35 is particularly significant because the stealth aircraft’s sensor fusion and data-sharing capabilities enable it to detect, track, and engage targets at greater distances while remaining difficult to detect.
“The F-35’s sensor suite, coupled with Meteor’s kinematics, will give the UK and Italian operator the operational advantage they expect from their choice of weapon system,” the F-35 Joint Program Office said.
“Combining the F-35’s sensor suite with the Meteor’s extended reach could reshape air combat tactics by allowing pilots to strike adversaries earlier in an engagement and from more tactically advantageous positions,” Interesting Engineering posted. It added that the Meteor was “Europe’s most feared missile.”
This integration will further boost the F-35’s broad appeal in international sales, making it even more versatile.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
