The goal is to reach the target while maintaining as much energy as possible. Unlike the AMRAAM, the Meteor can increase or decrease its thrust in order to facilitate range or maneuvering. When close enough, the Meteor's active radar takes over. Like the AMRAAM, the Meteor's guidance system, aided by a two-way datalink (one-way in the Rafale) calculates the optimum flight path and thrust needed to intercept the target. As this air is 'squeezed' into the ramjet, it becomes hot and ignites propellant, providing thrust to the missile. Once up to speed, the intake doors open, allowing supersonic air to enter the ramjet. This is needed because ramjets require a minimum speed in order to work properly. When fired, the Meteor first accelerates by use of its solid-fuel booster. Even without fuel, the AMRAAM still has plenty of kinetic energy traveling at Mach 4. After this point, the missile can 'glide' the rest of the way. Once the AMRAAM is fired, its solid-fuel rocket engine will accelerate the missile at a fixed rate until the missile either reaches its target or its fuel runs out. When the AMRAAM gets close, it activates its own active radar in order to guide itself the rest of the way. Like the Meteor, it can use a two-way datalink to give and receive target updates while on its intercept course. The missile is dropped, its solid-fuel rocket ignites, and it flies to where the target should be. Targeting data is sent to the AMRAAM's guidance computer just before launch. This means the Meteor can accelerate at an optimum rate depending on a target's range, speed, and position.ĪMRAAM operation is relatively straight forward. Second, a ramjet's burn rate is able to be throttled. First, it does not need to carry an oxidizer, as it simply uses the incoming air. The ramjet has two major advantages over a traditional solid-fuel rocket. Whereas traditional air-to-air missiles utilize solid-fuel rocket engines (similar to a model rocket), the Meteor uses a ramjet engine along with a solid-fuel booster. What sets the Meteor apart is its method of propulsion. So what is the difference? Is the Meteor really that much better than the battle-tested AMRAAM? The latest version, the AIM-120D, will be the 'default' air-to-air weapon for the F-35 Lightning II. There has been talk about a variant of the Meteor 'clipped' to fit inside a F-35's weapon bay, but no funding has been approved for this project thus far.įor the time being, the USAF, USN, USMC, as well as the RCAF will be sticking with the AIM-120 AMRAAM (advance medium range air to air missile). There appears to be no plans as of yet to integrate the Meteor with the F-15, F-16, or F/A-18. The Rafale is planned to provisions to carry two Meteors by 2018.Īmerican fighter manufactures do not seem to be as enthusiastic, however. Integration testing is underway for the Eurofighter Typhoon and already completed for the Saab Gripen. European nations have been quick to embrace the MBDA Meteor as their preferred BVR A2A missile.

Aim 120 vs meteor