MBDA Shows Off ASRAAM

The short-range missiles are carried by the F-35.

SINGAPORE - European missile systems company MBDA showed off a model of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with two of its advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM) fitted on underwing pylons, a configuration seemingly at odds with an internal storage of weapons required by a stealthy profile.

But MBDA's senior military adviser, Graham Thompson, said the radar cross-section of the underslung infrared-guided missiles was insignificant relative to the size and silhouette of the F-35 itself.

ASRAAMs - up to four of them - can also be carried in the F-35's internal stores bay because the missile can be locked on after launch, Thompson said. That ability to lock on after launch is critical for internal storage.

U.S. JSFs will carry Raytheon's AIM-9X Sidewinder as their standard air-to-air armament, Thompson said, because U.S. pilots want a passive infrared weapon that does not light up an enemy's radar-warning detector. Such stealthy targeting "gives a pilot more options, which is what you want when you're up there," said Thompson, a former British fighter pilot.

MBDA claims the ASRAAM, which has 70 percent more volume than the AIM-9X, can carry more propellant and has a greater range.

Although billed as a short-range dogfighting weapon, the ASRAAM has hit targets beyond visual range, MBDA claims.

Raytheon executives were unavailable for comment.

The Royal Air Force has stocks of ASRAAMs for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, and the missile is contracted for procurement for the JSF, said MBDA's marketing communications manager, Mati Hindrekus. Provision will be made on British JSFs for fitting MBDA's Storm Shadow cruise missile and Brimstone anti-armor weapon.

There is also "strong interest" for the beyond-visual-range Meteor, which can be stored internally with a slight modification of the fins. Meteor is slated for the Eurofighter but countries in the aircraft consortium do not want to pay integration costs, slowing development work on the missile.

source: Defense News