MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests
Meteor mounted in the F-35A weapons bay. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Following the completion of successful ground tests, one more exercise remains before flight testing can begin.
MBDA, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) have announced the completion of a set of ground-based integration tests of MBDA’s beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile Meteor with the F-35A, marking a critical milestone towards the pair’s operational readiness.
Conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the ground tests between the fighter aircraft and missile validated hardware responses, ahead of flight tests starting. According to MBDA, one more ground test remains before flight tests can begin.
The ground tests worked to confirm the safe stowage and deployment of the missile from the F-35A’s internal weapons bay – crucial for the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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.
