The Meteor is a European active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed and manufactured by MBDA. It offers a multi-shot capability (multiple launches against multiple targets), and has the ability to engage highly maneuverable targets such as jet aircraft, and small targets such as UAVs and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures (ECM) environment with a range in excess of 200 kilometres (110 nmi).
A solid-fueled ramjet motor allows the missile to cruise at a speed of over Mach 4 and provides the missile with thrust and mid-course acceleration. A two-way data link enables the launch aircraft to provide mid-course target updates or retargeting if required, including data from other parties. The data link can transmit missile information such as functional and kinematic status, information about multiple targets, and notification of target acquisition by the seeker. According to MBDA, Meteor has three to six times the kinetic performance of current air-to-air missiles of its type. The missile is equipped with both proximity and impact fuses to maximise destructive effects and reliability.
The fruit of a joint European project, Meteor missiles first entered service on the Swedish Air Force's JAS 39 Gripens in April 2016 and officially achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in July 2016. They also equip the French Air and Space Force and the Navy's Dassault Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoons of the Royal Air Force, German Air Force, Italian Air Force and Spanish Air Force. The Meteor is also intended to equip British and Italian F-35 Lightning IIs, and has been exported to various customers of the Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen.
Class Names
WPN Class
rksla3_wpn_meteor
Mass
Mag Class name
rksla3_mag_meteor_conformalx1
Hardpoint
RKSLA3_METEOR_CONFORMAL
190
Ammo Class
rksla3_ammo_meteor_drop
190
submunitionAmmo
NONE
N/A
WPN Class
rksla3_wpn_meteor
Mass
Mag Class name
rksla3_mag_meteor_lau127x1
Hardpoint
RKSLA3_METEOR_LAU127
229.46
rksla3_mag_meteor_directx1
RKSLA3_METEOR_DIRECT
190
Ammo Class
rksla3_ammo_meteor
190
submunitionAmmo
NONE
N/A
a3_documentation/cvwp/meteor.txt · Last modified: by rock