BAE Systems has begun integrating the next tranche of UK-specific weapons onto the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning combat aircraft.
A concept of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning launching the MBDA Meteor BVRAAM missile.Photo by: BAE Systems
The company announced on 18 March that it had been sub-contracted by Lockheed Martin to begin integrating the MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and the Selected Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) 3 air-to-surface missile aboard the aircraft. Integration is expected to continue up to 2025.
As noted by BAE Systems, the Meteor and SPEAR 3 work is part of a wider package that includes further integration of the MBDA AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and the Raytheon Paveway IV laser-guided bomb (LGB) in support of delivering initial operating capability (IOC) for the UK.