Every pristine combat aircraft brings along with an assorted pack of modern weaponry for execution of their missions. It is prudent to deduce that selection of Dassault Rafale multi-role strike aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF) was at least partially influenced by the platforms MBDA Meteor Active-Radar Homing (ARH) Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) with 80+ nautical miles range to provide an ultra-long range interception capability against fighter sized targets critical in attaining “first look-first shoot-first kill” capability besides fulfilling the interceptor role for “outer-air battles”, obligatory for IAF in response to proliferation of BVRAAMs in its “neighbourhood” including United States Raytheon AIM-120C-5 variant of AMRAAM in Pakistani Air Force (PAF) service. It is natural that IAF will aspire the Meteor BVRAAM to arm a significant proportion of the fleet additionally including Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Tejas.
A 3.65-metre long, stealthy, low drag, lightweight (185-kg) BVRAAM design from MBDA stable, the 80+ nautical miles ranged Meteor with a more linear velocity profile is designed as a complete unit, requiring no assembly and maintenance immediately before loading. It is designed to be compatible with AIM-120 type rail and eject launcher systems. Born out of the multi-national Project S225X examining the future BVRAAM technologies and designed for a network-centric warfare (NCW) environment, the Meteor has a data-link capability to be guided not only by the launching aircraft but also by another fighter or even by Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) platforms. The extended range/enhanced kinematics is ensured by Meteor’s solid Boron fuelled Variable-Flow Ducted Ram-rocket (VFDR) propulsion system also referred to as Throttle-able Ducted Rocket (TDR), supplied by Bayern-Chemie, along with a speed of more than Mach 4 and high terminal velocity. Thus even when launched from extreme stand-off ranges, the missile will retain the energy in the end game to defeat fast, manoeuvring targets. The control system consists of four small moving tail surfaces but at inherent high speed sufficient to perform sharp manoeuvres. The engine's two air intakes, positioned on the both sides of the lower part of missile's body, are shaped to reduce the missile's Radar Cross-Section (RCS) to represent a stealthy profile. The Electronics & Propulsion Control Unit (EPCU) adjusts the rocket's air intake and duct covers based on the cruise speed and the target's altitude. The EPCU in addition observes the distance and fuel level in the rocket and adjusts the throttle of the rocket thereby managing the fuel system.
The need for controlled airflow (by the missile's electronics) to the ramjet titanium ducts ruled out the “skid-to-turn” manoeuvring of a conventional rocket-powered missile, as it will risk masking an intake and instead “bank-to-turn” manoeuvring is adopted.
Meteor is capable of engaging wide range of airborne targets autonomously, including cruise missiles with less than 1-metre square RCS. For mid-course navigation guidance Meteor utilises Inertial Navigation System (INS) combined with update commands provided by the launch, or any friendly aircraft via the two way secure microwave data-link, to adequately offset Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) complexities or challenges at long ranges. The two way data-link, additionally allows the launch platform to provide updates on targets or re-targeting when the missile is in flight. The data-link is capable of transmitting information such as kinematic status plus also notifies target acquisition by the seeker.
During the terminal phase the Ku-band (NATO: X band) ARH seeker (advanced version of the MICA RF “4A”) employs advanced proportional based navigation software, offering high reliability in detection, tracking and classification of targets. The missile also integrates Inertial Measurement System (IMS). Also rumours persist that the system can operate passively in the K-band given the consortiums previous research interests. The seeker is said to be more resistant to electromagnetic jamming and operate in stealthier mode than the seekers of the MICA RF and Aster. To ensure total target destruction, the missile is equipped with a combination of SAAB Dynamics laser proximity and impact fuses and a fragmentation warhead that is detonated at the optimum point to maximise lethality. The Proximity Fuse Subsystem (PFS) has four antennae, arranged symmetrically around the fore body, with the impact sensor fitted inside the PFS.
As Meteor is designed for a NCW environment, it is suitable for the futuristic concept of “Cooperative Fighter Operations” or Mixed Fighter Force Concept (MFFC) that is essential for future BVR engagements and optimum performance and results. Conceptually in IAF colours pairs of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafale and Tejas may be data-linked; as one illuminates the other launches the missiles against the targets. In such engagements the “striker” fighter will be able to impart the greatest kinetic energy to the Meteor BVRAAM by accelerating up to Mach 2 and then manoeuvring out of the engagement. The illuminator with the powerful radar capable of performing like a mini-AEW&C would remain firmly subsonic keeping a decent distance from the target, and providing either command-guidance updates alongside illuminating the target. Since Meteor represents a six-nation project, even back during Aero India 2007 MBDA officials withheld any formal comment on its possible integration with IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, yet there were sufficient hints to this Vayu correspondent by senior MBDA officials that integration is very much possible (in contrary to news reports) in response to formal request by Indian Government and IAF. MBDA in fact, has experience in integration of missile systems with Russian platforms, Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKM are armed with MBDA MICA BVRAAMs. As apparent the Meteor BVRAAM will assist the IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale fleet to reach its full combat potential in BVRAAM combat scenario that may prove critical in any confrontation with Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) especially at the opening stages of conflict subsequently decisive in the long run. Surprise had always been the key to successful execution in air combat, with as much as 50-percent of the shot down pilots totally unaware of the fact that they were under attack.
Sayan Majumdar
Artists
depiction of the Meteor and integration on the F-35
Meteor on the Typhoon