Lockheed Team Completes Ground Tests For Beyond-Visual-Range Air-To-Air Missile
The F-35A has moved closer to being able to carry the European Meteor beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile after completing ground-based integration tests in the US. The tests, conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, validated key hardware responses between the aircraft and missile, paving the way for airborne tests. Italy is sponsoring integration of the Meteor on the F-35A, while the UK is leading integration for the F-35B model. The Meteor program has experienced delays, with an estimated in-service capability now expected in the early 2030s, according to a UK parliamentary statement. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.