MBDA has commenced deliveries of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) for the forthcoming integration onto the UK’s F-3...
MBDA has commenced deliveries of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) for the forthcoming integration onto the UK’s F-35B.
The first missile was delivered to the US during January, and will be integrated by BAE Systems.
ASRAAM will be the first UK missile to arm the F-35 and its integration within the F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the programme will give the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy’s F-35s a highly capable, passive, Within Visual Range air-to-air capability.
These test missiles will be used during 2016 for a series of flight trials and air-launched firings that are a key step towards the Initial Operating Capability of the aircraft by the UK.
The trials will include environmental data gathering, safe separation from the aircraft, weapon integration with the F-35’s on-board systems, and lastly, weapon firing trials involving the engagement of targets.
These integration activities will take place at both the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Edwards Air Force base in the USA.
These infra-red heat seeking missile is analogues to the Raytheon AIM-9X sidewinder heat seeking missile that equips the U.S. fighter jets.
