At the end of February, a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) stealth F-35B fighter jet was recorded making its first flight equipped with the beyond-visual-range (BVR) MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile in its weapon bays. The presence of this new weapon on a fifth-generation U.S.-origin aircraft is part of the ongoing process to integrate new capabilities into the F-35, which, in its “A” and “B” variants, is operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare).
Currently, the long-range MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile is one of the primary air combat weapons for the Eurofighter Typhoon fleets of the United Kingdom and Italy. However, in response to recent requirements for longer-range weaponry, various efforts are underway to integrate the European missile into the British and Italian F-35 stealth fighters.
According to a statement by the RAF on February 28, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B conducted the first recorded flight of a stealth fighter equipped with an inert MBDA Meteor missile. Images released from the tests, carried out at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, also show an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile in the internal weapons bay of the aircraft designated as “BF-18.” The AIM-120 AMRAAM is the standard beyond-visual-range air-to-air weapon currently used by F-35s.
The RAF highlighted this new test as a milestone in strengthening the UK’s combat fleet. Regarding the event, Air Commodore Al Roberts, Head of Air-to-Air Missiles at the RAF, stated: “This milestone is a testament to the effective collaboration between the multinational government and industry partnerships we have established. The integration of Meteor into the Lightning II will bring this formidable air combat capability to the UK and the growing community of F-35 operators, significantly enhancing security among allies.”
Looking ahead, and following the plans of both the RAF and the Italian Air Force, MBDA Meteor missiles are expected to be integrated into F-35Bs, with the ability to carry up to four missiles. This will significantly expand the combat capabilities of these stealth aircraft. Additionally, this integration aligns with the upcoming major modernization of the fifth-generation fighter, known as Block IV, which has faced delays due to challenges in implementing the TR-3 upgrade.
Beyond these challenges, the air-to-air BVR capabilities that the MBDA Meteor would provide to the F-35 should not be overlooked. The European missile features an advanced ramjet engine, characterized by its use of solid fuel and variable airflow. This design ensures no loss of energy during the terminal attack phase, maintaining agility—an advantage over traditional missile systems. Other key features include a two-way datalink system and an X-band active radar seeker.
Finally, according to a January 2024 announcement by the UK Ministry of Defence, plans to deploy the MBDA Meteor, along with the new SPEAR 3 missiles, are set for the end of the decade. Previously, the earliest tentative deployment date had been set for 2027.
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