Following contract signature in 2013 for the full integration of Meteor onto Typhoon, the trials continue to demonstrate that the weapon operates effectively with the aircraft.
Led by BAE Systems with support from MBDA, Selex ES, QinetiQ and the UK’s Ministry of Defence, (MOD), the trials were conducted in November 2014 at the MOD’s Hebrides firing range in the UK. The trials further developed and tested the integration of the missile with the weapon system as well as expanding the jettison envelope by conducting firings at different altitudes and speeds. The trials also tested the interface of the missile with the weapon system for both pre-launch priming and post launch datalink functions between the missile and radar.
Produced by MBDA, Meteor is an active radar guided missile designed to provide a multi-shot capability against long-range manoeuvring targets, such as fast jets, small unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures environment.
Capable of engaging air targets during day and night, and in all-weather conditions, the Meteor will complement Typhoon’s existing missile systems, providing pilots with a greater choice of weapons during combat.
Further firing trials are scheduled to be carried out as part of the Meteor Integration contract to fully expand the launch envelope and weapon system integration which will culminate in the integration being complete in 2017.
The trials took place in a year that has seen progress across a range of enhancement activities for Typhoon, providing proof of the aircraft’s superior capability and performance. The UK RAF is now operating the most advanced Typhoon to date with the latest Phase 1 Enhancement package now in operation. This upgrade delivers true simultaneous swing-role capability to Typhoon.
Progress has also been made across a number of weapons programmes including the award of a full integration contract for the Storm Shadow weapon and the first multiple release of a Paveway IV bomb.
In addition, a EUR1bn contract to develop and fit the Captor E-Scan radar was signed on 19 November 2014 which will give Typhoon one of the most advanced radar systems in the world, providing a wider field of regard than any other combat aircraft.