The F-35 Lightning II Is Getting Bigger Missiles
In addition to the F-35 Lightning II, the Meteor missile is already approved for fitting on Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS 39 Gripen, and Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet flew for the first time equipped with the Meteor air-to-air missile.
Produced by the European MBDA Systems, the Meteor is a powerful beyond-visual range munition. Qualifying the “B” version of the F-35 stealth fighter jet to Meteor munition would make the aircraft more powerful.
The Meteor Missile’s Qualifications
In February, the U.S. military, the U.K. military, and Lockheed Martin conducted the first test flights of the Meteor missile on board an F-35B. The testing used an inert munition to gather environmental data—the first step in making the munition usable on the stealth aircraft.
The Meteor missile is the primary air-to-air munition for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. It is currently used by the Eurofighter Typhoon, but the British military seeks to qualify the F-35B to carry the missile so its fleet of F-35Bs can use it.
“This milestone is a testament to the effective collaboration between the multinational governmental and industrial partnerships that we have in place,” RAF Head of Air-to-Air Missiles Air Commodore Al Roberts, said in a press statement.
A relatively large munition, the Meteor weighs 190 kilograms (420 pounds) and is 12 feet long. In terms of range, it can strike targets flying as far as 120 miles away and can reach speeds over Mach 4 (around 3,000 miles per hour).
“Inclusion of Meteor onto the Lightning II will bring this formidable air combat capability to the UK and to the burgeoning F-35 community, significantly enhancing security among allies,” Air Commodore Roberts added.
In addition to the F-35 Lightning II, the Meteor missile is already approved for fitting on Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS 39 Gripen, and Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Qualifying the F-35 Lightning II to carry the Meteor missile would provide a major boost in the combat capabilities of many air forces that operate the stealth fighter jet.
In addition to the United Kingdom, Italy is pushing for the incorporation of the Meteor to the “A” version of the F-35 Lightning II, which it also operates. The U.K. is leading integration for the F-35B, while Italy is sponsoring integration for the F-35A.
The F-35 Lightning II: Versions A, B, and C
A multi-role stealth aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced fighter jet in the world. The aircraft comes in three versions: A, B, and C. Although essentially the same aircraft, each iteration has different capabilities.
The F-35A is the conventional version of the aircraft that lands on normal runways. The F-35B is the Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing (STOVL) version of the aircraft that can land and take off like a helicopter but fly like a fighter jet. Finally, the F-35C is designed to operate from aircraft carriers.
Out of these versions, the “A” is the most widely used, followed by the “B.” So far, however, only the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operate the “C” version.
In terms of mission sets, all three versions of the stealth fighter jet can credibly conduct a wide range of missions: Strategic Attack, Air Superiority, Close Air Support, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and Destruction Enemy Air Defense (DEAD).
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
