Meteor On Target for Service Next Year
With development trials completed, the Meteor missile is on course to enter service on the Saab Gripen in 2016.
The Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, which is under development by a six-nation consortium with MBDA (Chalet 173) as industry lead, is on course to enter service next year with the Swedish air force’s Saab Gripen fighters–although Rafale and Typhoon pilots will have to wait until 2018 before they get their hands on the weapon. It will bring what MBDA describes as a “step change” to air combat.
MBDA and its partners Saab and Inmize have completed developmental firings, accomplishing more than 20. Now the weapon is in production, further tests are in the hands of the customers and airframers, who are conducting the integration with the Gripen, Rafale and Typhoon. Saab is adding the Meteor to the JAS 39C/D through the MS20 upgrade.
