MBDA’s Meteor completes first F-35B test flight
The UK is leading the integration of the Meteor missile for the F-35B, while Italy is championing the F-35A. (Photo: Royal Air Force)
The US Marine Corps’ aircraft conducted the first test flight of the missile from Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
MBDA’s Meteor missile has undergone its first test flights on a US Marine Corps F-35B aircraft, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) has announced.
The missile was flown to gather data as part of an ongoing campaign to integrate the UK weapon onto its F-35 aircraft and marked a core “milestone” in the programme, the RAF said. An initial contract worth £41 million ($US51 million) contract was awarded in 2017 to integrate the missile onto the platform.
MBDA’s Meteor missile is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile and is currently carried and operated by the Typhoon, the other combat multi-role aircraft flown by the RAF.
Related Articles
Lockheed Martin promotes F-35 as economic ‘catalyst’ ahead of UK budget
In 2019, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and MBDA collaborated to upgrade the UK’s F-35Bs. In 2021, MBDA and BAE Systems were awarded additional funding to complete the integration.
The Ministry of Defence has previously stated that the Meteor missile would be fully operational and integrated onto UK’s F-35Bs by the end of the decade.
Air Commodore Al Roberts, head of air-to-air missiles, RAF, said: “This milestone is a testament to the effective collaboration between the multinational governmental and industrial partnerships that we have in place. Inclusion of Meteor on the Lightning II will bring this formidable air combat capability to the UK and to the burgeoning F-35 community, significantly enhancing security among allies.”
As of the end of 2024, the UK had 37 F-35B aircraft delivered. Lockheed Martin anticipated that 48 aircraft from the UK’s first ordered batch would be delivered by the end of 2025.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026]()
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
![UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition]()
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
-
![Robinson launches new uncrewed aircraft business unit, unveils new UAS cargo platform]()
Robinson launches new uncrewed aircraft business unit, unveils new UAS cargo platform
The new entity incorporates crewed and uncrewed capabilities to tackle a variety of mission demands in both defence and commercial markets.
-
![Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays]()
Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays
The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.
-
![What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?]()
What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?
The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.
