U.K. F-35B Jet Launches Meteor Missile from Internal Compartment

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B conducted the first test launch of the Meteor missile, marking progress in integrating the long-range air-to-air weapon into the stealth fighter under a British-led project.

The Royal Air Force of the U.K. confirmed that the test used a missile with an inert warhead from the F-35B's internal weapons bay. The test, conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the U.S., gathered performance data as part of the British weapons integration program on the F-35.

The project involves collaboration between the U.K. and U.S. governments, the British Ministry of Defence, and industry partners including MBDA and Lockheed Martin. The Meteor missile, currently used by the U.K.'s Typhoon fighter jets, is known for its ramjet propulsion system, allowing speeds to adjust mid-flight and a range exceeding 100 kilometers.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence announced in January 2024 that its F-35B fighters would carry Meteor missiles and SPEAR 3 munitions by the end of the decade. The integration will coincide with the F-35B upgrade to the Block 4 version, which includes new radar systems designed to improve target detection and engagement at extended ranges.