What is a Meteor Missile?

About Meteor Missile

• Meteor is a next-generation, active radar-guided, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) system. 
• It is manufactured by MBDA Systems for six European nations.
• It is capable of striking different types of targets simultaneously in almost any weather.
• Primary Operators: UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Sweden.
• Features:
  • It has a length of 3.65m and a diameter of 0.178m. 
  • It has a combat range of 200 km.
  • Designed for a speed greater than Mach 4, the missile has a large no-escape zone.
  • It is powered by a solid-fuel variable-flow ducted rocket (ramjet). It provides the Meteor missile with the capability to maintain consistent high speeds.
  • Its ramjet air-breathing engine allows the missile to adjust its velocity based on its target’s maneuvers.
  • The missile is equipped with a blast-fragmentation warhead.
  • The missile system is installed with an active radar target seeker, offering high reliability in the detection, tracking, and classification of targets.
  • It is equipped with a two-way datalink, which allows the launch platform to provide updates on targets or re-targeting when the missile is in flight.
  • The datalink is capable of transmitting information such as kinematic status. It also notifies target acquisition by the seeker.

Q1) What is a Ramjet Engine?

A ramjet is a variant of an air breathing jet engine that does not include a rotary compressor; rather, it uses the engine's forward motion to compress the incoming air. A ramjet cannot function at zero airspeed and therefore cannot be used to power an aircraft in all phases of flight. A ramjet equipped aircraft requires another type of propulsion to accelerate it to a speed at which the ramjet is capable of producing thrust

Source: IAF takes a strategic step, bolsters Meteor missile arsenal amid Astra Mk3 production delays