The Meteor BVRAAM has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the aircraft’s Future Enhancements Flight Test Programme.
The missile was eject-launched from a rear fuselage missile station, which on Eurofighter Typhoon is semi-conformal for aircraft drag and radar signature reduction. The missile motor was fired, providing data that will allow the missile launch envelope to be expanded. This builds on an earlier series of flight trials, carried out by BAE Systems, where unpowered missiles were used to demonstrate safe separation on the missile.
The flight trials were conducted with integrated support from QinetiQ and MBDA at the firing range in Aberporth, Wales, on December 4. After taking part in the Meteor trials, BAE Systems Typhoon Test Pilot Steve Long said: “By completing these initial Meteor flight trials, Typhoon has taken a significant leap forward in operational capability. As a fighter pilot, you ultimately want the best possible combination of aircraft and advanced weapons to ensure mission success and to get you home safely. The range and performance of the Meteor weapon goes a long way to achieving this – with confidence. A potent long range missile, coupled with a highly agile aircraft gives us a very potent and very powerful mix.”
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