The German Air Force is testing new air-to-air missiles. Yesterday, on August 3, the press service of the Bundeswehr reported that Eurofighter Typhoon fighters are testing Meteor missiles.
As part of the tests, two German Air Force fighter jets flew new missiles to study how they affect flight characteristics and fuel consumption. In addition, new software is being tested that expands the range of ammunition for Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. The test flights will last until the end of the summer, after which the command will make a final decision on arming the fighters with new ammunition.
Typhoon tests Meteor missiles
"The air resistance practically does not differ from, for example, AMRAAM, since the parameters of Meteor with a length of almost 3.70 m and a weight of about 180 kg are similar to the parameters of AMRAAM. But we need accurate flow rates to accurately calculate the flight range and the maximum flight time with a combat load, " said the pilot of the Typhoon fighter, Major Michael Cruz.
MBDA Meteor is a long-range guided air-to-air missile equipped with an active radar homing head. The rocket has a main-line ramjet engine, which allows you to maintain a high flight speed along the entire trajectory. The Meteor missile has been developed by MBDA since 1997 for the Air Forces of France, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, Spain and Italy. The missile's flight range is over 100 km. The first MBDA Meteor was adopted by the Swedish Air Force (in 2016).