Lockheed Martin announced that the ground-based integration tests were completed for MBDA’s IWB-compatible Meteor BVRAAM variant for F-35A fighter jets.
Following carriage tests onboard a USMC F-35B STOVL fighter, the CTOL F-35A completed its first integration run on the ground for the ramjet-powered Meteor BVRAAM.
Italy is the sponsoring country for the integration of Meteor on F-35A, as F-35A is the main variant in Italian Air Force service, whereas the UK is sponsoring the integration on F-35B. However, with recent acquisitions from the two countries in mind (The UK adding F-35A to the RAF fleet and Italy set to form a combatant wing for Trieste LHD from F-35Bs), they are likely to include the other variants later on. However, in the short term, the main variants in service are in focus.
The Meteor variant to be used by F-35 has clipped fins in a trapezoidal form rather than delta, as the internal bays’ tight volumetric requirements demanded a profile optimisation. Up to four Meteor missiles can be carried by an F-35 internally.
A similar measure can be observed in Turkiye’s liquid fuel ramjet-powered GÖKHAN, as well as the solid fuel ramjet-powered GÖKBORA. The latter uses partially folding fins instead of clipped fins. This will allow a smoother integration process on Turkiye's own low-observable combat aircraft such as KAAN and KIZILELMA.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
