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Brazil Tests In Natal The Meteor Missile For The First Time And Demonstrates Unprecedented Capacity In South America, Expanding Strategic Airpower And Consolidating The Gripen As A Vector For Regional Superiority
The Brazilian Air Force achieved a historic milestone by testing the Meteor missile integrated with the F-39 Gripen fighter for the first time. The launch, made in November during a special operation in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, represented a decisive advance for the country’s airpower. In addition, it reinforced Brazil’s strategic position as the only operator of this type of weaponry in all of South America.
Right from the start, the launch generated a response among military analysts, as the Meteor is widely recognized as one of the deadliest and most technologically advanced missiles in the world. The information was released by the FAB and detailed according to material presented by the Force, which oversaw each stage of the experimental firing.
First Meteor Firing On The Gripen Occurs Under FAB Supervision And Hits Mirach 100/5 Drones In A Challenging Test Scenario
During the exercise held in Rio Grande do Norte, the Meteor missile was launched against maneuverable aerial targets of the type Mirach 100/5, drones designed to simulate enemy aircraft at high speed and altitude profiles. These devices act like fighters under extreme conditions, making the test even more relevant.
The main goal was to recreate a realistic and complex environment, filled with interferences, to validate the system’s accuracy and effectiveness.
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According to information released by the FAB, Brazil becomes the only country on the continent to launch and operate the Meteor. Additionally, only technologically advanced nations — like France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and India — have integrated this type of weaponry into their next-generation fighters.
Meteor: Missile Beyond Visual Range, Ramjet Engine And Intelligent Flight Capability Make It One Of The Most Advanced Projects On The Planet
The Meteor belongs to the category of “beyond visual range” missiles, capable of hitting targets at long distances, such as fighters, drones, and even cruise missiles. Even in environments saturated with electronic countermeasures, it maintains high accuracy. This differential places the weapon among the most feared in the world today.
Another crucial point is its stealth flight capability. The missile can be launched without emitting radar signals while approaching the target, making it difficult for enemy aircraft to detect it. Additionally, the system has a bidirectional data link that allows the fighter to update information in-flight, redirecting the missile if the target changes position or trajectory.
Unlike conventional missiles, the Meteor uses a ramjet engine, capable of modulating speed and fuel consumption. This allows it to accelerate in the final phase, precisely when the target has the least maneuverability, entering the so-called “escape zone,” a point at which evasion becomes almost impossible. As explained in the technical material released by the FAB, this set of technologies places the Meteor at the top of the global ranking of air-to-air missiles.
Brazil Reinforces Regional Protagonism By Integrating The Meteor Into The Gripen And Joins The Elite Group That Masters Long-Range Weapons
The unprecedented firing represents more than a technological advance: it symbolizes a strategic shift for Brazil and for all of South America. While other air forces on the continent are still reliant on shorter-range, less precise missiles, the country now operates one of the most effective weapons on the planet, combined with the modern F-39 Gripen fighter.
In addition to reinforcing national security, the measure enhances deterrent capability and elevates Brazilian combat aviation to a new level. As highlighted by the FAB, the test paves the way for future certifications, operational training, and real use of the weapon in strategic scenarios.
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