MBDA To Upgrade UK Typhoons' Air-To-Air Missile

MBDA has won a $462 million contract to sustain air to air missile that is being used by Typhoon jets of Royal Air Force.

Under the eight-year contract, MBDA (UK) will design and build the new variant of their Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) missile, incorporating updated sub-systems into the current ASRAAM design.

This will make it possible to upgrade the weapon system as necessary, Uk Ministry of Defense announced today.

ASRAAM missiles provide the Eurofighter Typhoon jets with battle-winning technology on combat missions, and these upgrades will help to make it a missile for the future, ready for use on our new Lightning II aircraft, Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon said.

This contract is part of our £160 billion equipment plan, supported by a rising Defence budget.

Sustainment of the UK’s short range air-to-air capability is essential as it supports standing operational commitments such as the protection of UK airspace and any other air defence roles, Chief of Materiel (Air) at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Air Marshal Simon Bollom said.

The contract provides the most cost-effective way of maintaining this capability. Further it “allows what is a very effective missile to be retained whilst ensuring continued compatibility with the aircraft we launch it from.” Bollom added.

ASRAAM is currently in-service on Typhoon and Tornado GR4 aircraft, and will be integrated onto the Lightning II platform in time for first aircraft delivery.