photo:MBDA Saab have completed missile integration firings of MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from its Gri...
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| photo:MBDA |
Saab have completed missile integration firings of MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from its Gripen fighter. The trials were the last required to clear the missile for operational service with the Swedish Gripen C/D fighter.
The firings were conducted in last March, featuring two airborne launches against remotely-controlled targets. The tests demonstrated missile's safe separation from the aircraft and datalink functions between the aircraft and missile, and further validated seeker performance and range.
Saab carried out the trials in cooperation with its customer, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and missile maker MBDA at FMV’s Vidsel Test Range in northern Sweden. The full Meteor capability is Gripen’s latest MS20 (Materiel System 20) combat systems update for the Swedish Air Force. Once MS20 is cleared for service, Gripen will be the first fighter to feature a functional Meteor capability.
The next generation Meteor is an active radar-guided BVRAAM powered by a ramjet engine. The missile has 100+km range and can fly at speeds greater than Mach 4. Developed by MBDA for UK, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Spain, Meteor can be integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale and Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II (future).
