Eurofighter Typhoon Test-Fires Two Meteor Missile Simultaneously

Eurofighter Typhoon has completed a simultaneous firing of two MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles as part of a major program to integrate the weapon on to the aircraft.

The test was conducted using Airbus Defence & Space Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 4 with the support of BAE Systems, Eurofighter GmbH, MBDA and the UK‘s Ministry of Defence.

The trial was used to test engagement of targets and the simultaneous two-way data link between two missiles and the aircraft, the company announced Wednesday.

The data gathered follows a series of six Meteor firings conducted from Eurofighter Typhoon in 2016.  Following loading activity at BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information site, in Warton, UK, the trials took place over the UK’s Hebrides Range.

It is the latest flight trial conducted by the Eurofighter Partner Companies as part of a major programme of work to add additional capability on to Eurofighter Typhoon, ensuring it is ready to meet the threats of the future.

“This is another major milestone on the Meteor programme and the first successful test of a dual firing. Meteor brings to Eurofighter Typhoon an air-to-air engagement capability and this successful trial – following on from a series of firings last year – is further evidence of how the Eurofighter Partner Companies are working together to deliver major enhancements to Typhoon’s multi-role capabilities.” Andy Flynn, Eurofighter Delivery Director for BAE Systems UK, said.

Customer Operational Evaluation and Training with Meteor is due to take place with the UK Air Force later this year.