MBDA Inc Exhibiting at 2019 Tailhook Conference

MBDA Inc Exhibiting at 2019 Tailhook Conference
MBDA Inc Exhibiting at 2019 Tailhook Conference

As the worldwide leader in missile systems, MBDA is committed to supporting armed forces worldwide in bringing advanced weapons systems that complement the 5th generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. MBDA will be exhibiting at the 2019 Tailhook Association conference taking place September 5-8 in Reno, Nevada.

In May 2019, a team of engineers from BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and MBDA Group commenced work on enhancing the capability of the United Kingdom’s F-35 Lightning with MBDA’s next-generation weapons.

BAE Systems has received an initial funding award from Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on the F-35 program, to start integration efforts for MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and SPEAR precision surface attack missile.

Under this initial package of work BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin will also complete further integration work with MBDA on ASRAAM and with Raytheon on Paveway IV®, initially integrated in support of delivering Initial Operating Capability for the UK.

Last year, a pilot from 17 Squadron, the RAF’s F-35 Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California took to the skies for the first time with UK weapons, including ASRAAM and Paveway IV®.

This followed work carried out during the F-35 program’s System Development and Demonstration (SDD) initial testing phase to develop and certify weapons capabilities by an integrated test team. This team includes Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Raytheon and MBDA, working alongside the UK Air Warfare Centre to clear weapons for Operational Testing by RAF/RN pilots.

Our booth will feature a variety of MBDA’s F-35 products including:

Meteor: Meteor is the next generation of Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) systems designed to revolutionize air-to-air combat in the 21st Century. Meteor’s stunning performance is achieved through its unique ramjet propulsion system that provides the missile with thrust all the way to target intercept, providing the largest No-Escape Zone of any air-to-air missile.

SPEAR: MBDA’s network-enabled, precision surface attack for all-weather operations.  Powered by a turbojet engine, SPEAR has the beyond horizon reach to ensure that the aircraft remains safely away from hostile air defense units, while also minimizing the time of flight.

More Information can be found below:

https://www.mbda-systems.com/2019/03/18/work-starts-integrating-next-generation-meteor-and-spear-onto-uk-f-35-fleet/

https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/work-starts-integrating-next-generation-meteor-and-spear-onto-uk-f-35-fleet