Lockheed Martin, MBDA and the F-35 Joint Program Office completed ground-based integration tests — including vibration, fit checks and internal weapons‑bay structural trials — on the CTOL F-35A at Edwards AFB. The results pave the way for upcoming flight trials of the European Meteor beyond‑visual‑range air‑to‑air missile.
Discovered |
Briefing
Successful ground vibration, fit‑check and structural tests at Edwards AFB validate Meteor’s physical integration with the F‑35A internal weapons bay — the mandatory precursor to safe flight trials.
If flight trials proceed, the F‑35 would field a European, ramjet‑powered beyond‑visual‑range missile, affecting alliance interoperability and future weapons procurement choices; see MBDA's recent push on a European medium‑range CAMM surface‑to‑air missile and its other recent missile developments.
The work continues the F‑35’s role as a multi‑weapon integration hub alongside broader long‑range strike and teaming demonstrations involving the type, such as the B‑2 and Norwegian F‑35 maritime strike test.
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Meteor ramjet completes ground integration on F‑35A at Edwards, paving way for flight trials • nationalsecurityjournal.org
MBDA's Meteor BVRAAM nears flight testing on F-35A Lightning II • theaviationgeekclub.com
F-35A Completes Ground Integration Tests with MBDA Meteor Missile • news.defcros.com
F-35As Near Integration of MBDA Meteor Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile • realcleardefense.com
MBDA’s Meteor completes key integration tests with US F-35A, boosting long-range air-to-air capability • interestingengineering.com
(PT) MBDA advances integration of the Meteor missile onto the F-35A Lightning II • forcaaerea.com.br
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle