Sucessful flight tests of the throttleable ducted rocket (TDR) motor of the Meteor
BVRAAM missile (Source: AIAA-2008-5261)
Beginning with the first flight test in 2006, in total six flights have been
performed successfully at various operating conditions. Testing is currently
done from the Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft. The flight tests have been carried
out at the Vidsel test range in Sweden and a UK MoD range at the British Hebrides.
The operating conditions included
- subsonic launch (m 0.9) at lower altitude (5500m)
- high altitude (13000 m) supersonic launch
- extended free flight with 120 seconds of motor operation and with speeds
in excess of Mach 3
- extensive manoeuvres, a key requirement for an anti-aircraft missile .
Figure 1 shows pictures of Meteor launch and early boost phase after aircraft
separation.
In the last test performed in March 2008, Meteor successfully intercepted a
target drone. Figure 2 shows a picture taken from a high speed camera onboard
the target drone at the intercept situation.
The tests not only proved the reliable functionality of the Meteor TDR engine,
but they also confirmed the performance predictions of the propulsion system.
Since no flight data of similar anterior propulsion systems had been available
to check the predictions, the confirmation of the predictions proved the outstanding
BC capabilities to calculate air intakes, internal flows, gas generator operation,
ram combustion process and the associated control techniques. In effect, the
TDR propulsion systems gives outstanding dynamic capabilities to the Meteor
Beyond Visual range missile system.
Based on the experience with the flight tests, the design of the PP (pre production)
standard motor was completed in 2007. It will undergo qualification, leading
to the start of production in 2010.
Figure 1: Meteor flight testing, launch and early boost phase (photos courtesy
of MBDA Missile-Systems)
Figure 2: Meteor flight testing, intercept of target drone (photo courtesy
of MBDA Missile-Systems)
