Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Brazilian Air Force conducts first live fire of Meteor missile from Gripen E

3rd December 2025 - 16:43 GMT | by Lucy Powell in London, UK

RSS

The BVR-X exercise took place with support from Saab, MBDA and several FAB units. (Photo: Saab)

The major milestone for the beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile was conducted in November and expands the capabilities of the air force’s growing Gripen E fleet.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has successfully demonstrated that it can fire MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile from its Saab JAS39 Gripen E aircraft, with the conclusion of successful firings last month.

The firing tests from the Gripen E form a crucial milestone in expanding the FAB’s Gripen E capabilities. Four Gripen E fighters took part in the exercise, with the two missiles successfully hitting two Mirach 100/5 drone targets.

According to the FAB, these latest firing demonstrations consolidated the maturity of the Gripen and Meteor pairing, making Brazil the newest entrant – alongside France, Germany, the UK and Sweden

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Author

Lucy Powell

Lucy Powell is Shephard’s Air Reporter. An award-winning journalist with over four years in …

Read full bio

More from Air Warfare

Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos

A production decision on Increment 1 of the CCA Programme is due to be made by the end of the year, with further demonstrations building on F-22 Raptor and MQ-20 Avenger teaming flight tests.
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion

The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract

The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort

The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO

A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
UK Royal Navy notes hybrid air wing progress with eyes on Peregrine drone development

The Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) initiative aims to modernise aviation capabilities to use uncrewed systems where possible, supporting its goal of a hybrid air wing by 2040.