Why the Meteor missile is a game-changer for air combat

Christian Baghai
6 min readFeb 5, 2024

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If you are interested in the latest developments in air-to-air weaponry, you have probably heard of the Meteor missile. This is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is designed to provide a multi-shot capability against long-range maneuvering targets, such as fast jets, small unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles, in a heavy electronic countermeasures environment. The Meteor missile is currently in service with the air forces of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, and is integrated on the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale, the Saab Gripen and the Lockheed Martin F-35B. The missile is also being considered for other platforms, such as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Mitsubishi F-3.

But what makes the Meteor missile so special and how does it differ from other air-to-air missiles? In this blog post, I will explain the main features and advantages of the Meteor missile, based on a comprehensive overview of the history, development, capabilities and integration of the missile, provided by Think Defence, a website dedicated to UK defence issues and analysis.

History and development of the Meteor missile

The history of the Meteor missile goes back to the early 1990s, when the UK issued a requirement to replace the Skyflash missile on the Eurofighter 2000, which was later renamed as the Typhoon. The requirement was to have a missile that could engage targets at beyond visual range, with a high probability of kill, and that could counter the emerging threats of the future. The UK initially considered two options: an improved version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, offered by Hughes, and a new missile concept, called S225X, offered by a BAE-led consortium, comprising Saab, GEC Marconi Dynamics and Alenia. The S225X concept was based on a dual-pulse rocket motor, which would provide a boost in the end-game phase, and a ramjet propulsion system, which would allow the missile to cruise at high speed and long range. The S225X concept was later evolved into the S225XR, which had a longer range and a larger warhead.

In 1998, the UK decided to join a European collaborative project, called the Meteor programme, which aimed to develop a common BVRAAM for the Eurofighter, the Rafale and the Gripen. The Meteor programme was led by MBDA, a European defence company, and involved six nations: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The Meteor programme was based on the S225XR concept, but with some modifications and improvements. The Meteor missile was officially launched in 2003, and underwent a series of development and testing phases, until it reached its initial operational capability (IOC) in 2016. The Meteor missile was declared fully operational in 2018, and has since been integrated on various fighter aircraft and tested in various scenarios and environments.

Capabilities and performance of the Meteor missile

The Meteor missile is a state-of-the-art BVRAAM, with several unique features and capabilities that make it superior to other air-to-air missiles. The most distinctive feature of the Meteor missile is its ramjet propulsion system, which consists of a solid fuel, variable flow, ducted rocket. This means that the missile uses atmospheric air to burn its fuel, instead of carrying an oxidizer, like conventional rockets. This allows the missile to have a higher specific impulse, which is a measure of the efficiency of the propulsion system, and to have a longer burn time, which means that the missile can accelerate and maintain its speed for a longer duration. The ramjet propulsion system gives the Meteor missile a high speed and long range, as well as a large no-escape zone, which is the area where the target cannot evade the missile. The Meteor missile can reach speeds of over Mach 4, and can engage targets at ranges of over 100 km, depending on the launch conditions. The Meteor missile also has a large no-escape zone of over 60 km, which is much larger than other missiles, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, which has a no-escape zone of about 20 km.

Another key feature of the Meteor missile is its advanced active radar seeker, which provides the missile with a high accuracy and a high resistance to jamming and countermeasures. The active radar seeker emits its own radar signals to locate and track the target, and does not rely on the launch aircraft or other sources for guidance. The active radar seeker has a high resolution and a wide field of view, which allows the missile to detect and identify small and stealthy targets, and to discriminate between the target and decoys or clutter. The active radar seeker also has a frequency agility and a low probability of intercept, which means that the missile can change its radar frequency to avoid detection and jamming by the enemy. The active radar seeker is complemented by a two-way data link communication, which allows the missile to receive mid-course updates or retargeting from the launch aircraft or third parties, such as other aircraft, ground stations or satellites. The data link communication also allows the launch aircraft to monitor the status and position of the missile, and to abort the engagement if necessary.

The Meteor missile also has a high explosive fragmentation warhead, which is designed to inflict maximum damage on the target. The warhead is detonated by a proximity fuse, which senses the distance to the target and triggers the explosion at the optimal moment. The warhead has a variable delay function, which allows the missile to adjust the timing of the detonation according to the type and size of the target. The warhead also has a pre-fragmented casing, which creates a large number of fragments that spread over a wide area, increasing the lethality of the missile.

Integration and compatibility of the Meteor missile

The Meteor missile is designed to be compatible and interoperable with a variety of fighter aircraft and platforms. The missile has a modular design, which allows it to be adapted to different launchers and interfaces. The missile also has a common interface unit, which provides a standard electrical and mechanical interface between the missile and the aircraft. The missile also has a common software package, which allows the missile to be integrated with different fire control systems and sensors.

The Meteor missile is currently integrated on the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale, the Saab Gripen and the Lockheed Martin F-35B. The integration process involves a series of steps, such as software development, hardware installation, ground testing, flight testing and operational evaluation. The integration process also involves a close cooperation between the missile manufacturer, the aircraft manufacturer and the end user. The integration process can vary in duration and complexity, depending on the level of compatibility and commonality between the missile and the aircraft.

The Meteor missile is also being considered for other platforms, such as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Mitsubishi F-3. The Super Hornet is a carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft, operated by the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The F-3 is a proposed fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, developed by Japan. The integration of the Meteor missile on these platforms would require some modifications and adaptations, such as reducing the size and weight of the missile, or adding a folding wing mechanism, to fit the missile in the internal weapon bays or on the external pylons of the aircraft.

Conclusion

The Meteor missile is a game-changer for air combat, as it gives the launch aircraft a significant advantage over the enemy, in terms of range, speed, agility, accuracy, survivability and lethality. The Meteor missile is a key asset for the air forces that operate it, and a formidable threat for the air forces that face it.

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Christian Baghai
Christian Baghai

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