The European Meteor missile is getting a major upgrade as Spanish defense firm Indra works to sharpen one of its most critical capabilities.
At the heart of the revamp is a redesigned datalink, which is said to extend the missile’s coverage and improve its resistance to electronic countermeasures.
The company has presented the upgraded datalink to MBDA, the weapon’s manufacturer, and to the Meteor program’s International Joint Project Office for technical review and validation.
The system has already cleared preliminary design review, giving Indra the green light to move forward with full-scale development and integration.
Once integrated, the upgraded datalink lets Meteor receive real-time guidance updates, boosting its ability to pursue evasive targets and delivering smarter, more precise strikes.
From Launch to Target: Meteor Explained
Dubbed as one the world’s most advanced air-to-air missiles, Meteor is already in service on advanced fighter jets, including the Eurofighter, Rafale, and Gripen.
It is propelled by a solid-fuel variable-flow ducted rocket and equipped with an active radar seeker for precise target tracking.
The missile can also exceed Mach 4 (4,900 kilometers/3,050 miles per hour), cover 100 kilometers (62 miles) in about 90 seconds, and engage targets beyond visual range.
Measuring 3.7 meters (12 feet) long and weighing just 190 kilograms (420 pounds), Meteor remains light enough for modern fighter jets. Integration is now underway on F-35s.
