Service - RAF
Description
The Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) is the next generation weapon which will provide Typhoon with the capability to combat projected air to air threats throughout the life of the aircraft and contribute to the air superiority requirements of UK and NATO operations. The weapon, which is defined in Staff Requirement SR(A)1239, is required to operate in all weather conditions and will complement the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) already in procurement for Typhoon.
The key features of the requirement include stealthy launch, enhanced kinematics, which will provide the missile with sufficient energy to chase and destroy a highly agile manoeuvring target, robust performance in countermeasures and the ability for the launch aircraft to fire and disengage at the earliest opportunity thus enhancing aircraft survivability.
Typhoon partner nations (Germany, Italy, Spain), Sweden (for the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft) and France (for Rafale) have a similar missile requirement to SR(A) 1239.
A decision to select the METEOR proposal from MBD was announced to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Defence on 16th May 2000.
At a ceremony conducted at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on 19th June 2001 the Secretaries of State of France, Sweden and the UK signed the Meteor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Italy signed the MOU at the NATO Defence Ministers Meeting, in Brussels on the 26th September 2001. The Meteor MOU was signed by Spain Defence Minister Trillo at a meeting with SofS on 11 December 2001. Germany signed the MOU on 19th December 2002.
The Meteor Contract was signed at Abbey Wood on 23rd December 2002.
The contracts for integration of Meteor on to the Gripen and Rafale aircraft have been signed. The contract for Meteor integration on to Typhoon is still being negotiated.
General characteristics / technical performance
Meteor will give all Partner Nation aircraft the capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, independent of parent aircraft manoeuvre, at greater range than current medium range air to air missiles and in all weathers day or night.
Commercial Aspects
An International Joint Programme Office (IJPO) has been established at DPA Abbey Wood, Bristol. The prime contractor, Matra BAe Dynamics,(MBDA-UK), together with partners SSD, EME(of Spain), LFK and SAAB-Bofors will develop, demonstrate and produce the METEOR solution.