Partners record successful ground integration trials of F-35A and Meteor missile

One of the F-35A's two internal weapons bays seen loaded with a pair of Meteor missiles during ground-based fit and functions testing. (Joint Program Office)

Lockheed Martin, MBDA, and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) recently completed a series of critical ground-based integration tests with the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), it was announced on 3 December.

Conducted at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in the US state of California, the ground vibration testing and internal weapons bay fit checks validated key hardware responses between the aircraft and missile, described by the JPO as “a pivotal step before airborne tests begin”.

As noted in the announcement, one ground test remains before clearance to start flight-testing is given. The missile is being integrated onto the F-35 as part of the aircraft's Block 4 upgrade, which should be operational in the early 2030s.

The Meteor BVRAAM has been described by industry and military officials as providing a step change in air-to-air combat capabilities. With a speed of more than Mach 4 and a range in excess of 100 km, the Meteor is powered by a ramjet, which means it is propelled up to the point of impact, whereas similar-type missiles have a relatively short boost phase after launch, following which they glide to the target while bleeding energy.

On the F-35A, the Meteor will be carried by Germany and Italy. The United Kingdom recently disclosed that it is acquiring the F-35A, and while no weapons have been touted beyond the B61 nuclear bomb for the shared NATO mission, it is likely that it too will carry the Meteor missile as more A-variant aircraft are ordered.

For more information on the Meteor and F-35, please see