Meteor boost for Gripen

Plans, by both the United Kingdom and Swedish governments, to adopt the European Meteor advanced long-range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile will equip Gripen, the first fourth-generation fighter to enter service world-wide, with an highly capable air defence system for tomorrow's combat scenarios.

A 'launch and leave' missile, with performance characteristics several times better than existing AMRAAMs, Meteor combines an active radar seeker with mid-course update capability.

The ramjet-powered missile, to be produced by a Matra-BAe Dynamics led partnership involving Alenia Marconi Systems, LFK, CASA, Saab-Bofors Dynamics and Boeing, has been specifically designed to penetrate dense and highly sophisticated electronic warfare environments.

Its technology allows updated targeting data to be transmitted from the launch aircraft, another friendly fighter, AWAC's or Saab Erieye aircraft after the missile has been fired. This will enable Gripen pilots to manoeuvre away from the target zone immediately after firing in order to avoid being attacked themselves.

"Meteor will maximise the capabilities of Gripen's sensors and fully integrated digital avionics systems " said Julian Scopes, Gripen director sales and marketing. " Designed specifically for use with fourth-generation fighters it will help Gripen achieve air superiority against all known and perceived threats for the foreseeable future."

Saab and BAE SYSTEMS have been working together on air-to-air missile projects since the 1980's and involvement in the Meteor programme (which began life as an Anglo-Swedish S225X project in the 1990s) is a further development of this relationship.

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