Tim Ripley
Raytheon says it is not interested in developing a ramjet powered beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) to rival the European Meteor.
In spite of the recent success of the Matra BAe Dynamics Meteor in the UK's BVRAAM contest, the US missile giant says such a weapon is "not required" by US and other international missile customers. "We are not interested in keeping up with our European rivals," says Bill West, Raytheon's business development manager for air-to-air missiles. He adds that customers are interested in what he terms "threat responsive" requirements. "Ram jet is not necessarily a threat responsive capability. The key function is internal carriage on the F-22 and Joint Strike Fighter". He says ramjet technology did exist in the US from a missile project cancelled in the early 1990s. "There is currently no US requirement for an air breathing air superiority missile.
"Raytheon's main priority is developing and promoting its existing AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) to US and allied air forces. West predicts global sales of more than 2,000 examples of the AIM-120C5 version, including 400 to the UK, 300 to Germany and 200 each to Italy, Spain and Sweden. These are to arm Eurofighters until the Meteor enters service at the end of the decade.
West says the Pentagon has already allocated $250 million for growth of the missile to the "C3I Phase 3" configuration to ensure the "weapon's air-superiority path". The US Air Force and Raytheon recently announced the C5 version of the missile would be available for export to US allies and security customers. It is to be available for purchase when the USAF's next production contract kicks in.
The US Air Force and Raytheon recently announced the C5 version of the missile would be available for export to US allies and security customers. It is to be available for purchase when the USAF's next production contract kicks in.
Source: Flight Daily News
