The Royal Air Force's requirement for a future medium-range air-to-air missile (FMRAAM) has been addressed in two 12-month risk-reduction studies of the competing Hughes and Matra British Aerospace Dynamics-led bids, the results of which had been expected to be released in March. The procurement, however, like several others, has been politically ensnared in the run-up to the UK's general election.
However, the RAF retains a firm requirement for an active-radar beyond- visual-range (BVR) missile with an engagement envelope, and a no-escape zone, much greater than that of the Hughes AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AAM).
In part, the driver for the RAF's extended-range BVR missile was Russia's interest in extended-range variants of the Vympel R-77 (AA-12 Adder). Test firings of a rocket/ramjet R-77 have been carried out, but the status of the project remains uncertain.
The UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Staff Requirement (Air) 1239 for the FMRAAM is only the first of various air force needs for a next-generation BVR weapon. France, Germany and Italy are all considering the prospects for an extended-range AAM, as are the US Air Force and Navy.
As with other recent procurement programmes, the MoD is confronted with the choice of either a US or a European solution. Proponents of "buy-European" argue that relying on the USA for the release of what will be the primary air-to-air weapon for the Eurofighter EF2000 is to unacceptably make the aircraft a hostage to fortune in the export market. Advocates of US products argue that through offsets they would provide the UK with access to a slice of what will inevitably eventually include a large US customer base.
While the Matra BAe Dynamics bid is based on a new missile, the Meteor, Hughes is understood to be offering the RAF various options, including taking the latest model of AIM-120 and then upgrading it, as technology becomes available, to the FMRAAM standard.
Source: Flight International