The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) received the second batch of the Meteor missile, which will equip the F-39 Gripen fighter, the first four units of which were delivered by Saab on November 24.
The first batch, of a few units, had been purchased for development, integration and qualification of the aircraft. With the new armament, Brazil will make a leap in air combat capability, significantly increasing the Air Force’s deterrent capacity.
The Meteor is a BVR (Beyond-Visual-Range) air-to-air missile, which provides capability against targets such as fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and cruise missiles, from a great distance and in an environment with high electronic countermeasures interference.
Conventional missiles are equipped with rocket engines, which accelerate them to supersonic speeds, but as the seconds pass, they lose power. Thus, the missile’s ability to alter its course in search of its target or to perform aggressive maneuvers is lost. The Meteor, on the other hand, maintains the use of the rocket during the initial acceleration phase, but also has a ramjet engine, which maintains the power and the ability to «chase the target» for much longer than conventional missiles.
The equipment is produced by European manufacturer MBDA and features a two-way data link that allows the launching aircraft to provide midcourse target updates or redirect the missile to a new target, if necessary. The new missile can even accelerate as it approaches the target, rendering any attempt to maneuver completely useless. Countries already operating the missile include Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Sweden.
The new missile, which will integrate the FAB’s modern weapon system, increases the deterrent power and the chances of avoiding a close confrontation with enemy aircraft, offering a powerful air superiority tool to Brazilian pilots. Meteor represents a game changer for the FAB and for the region.
