2 days ago
India's deadliest weapon set to become more powerful, to be equipped with..., will destroy enemies with top speed...
The indigenous TEJAS MK-2 fighter jet will be equipped with the latest and most sophisticated Meteor missile (Meteor Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile – BVRAAM). This will substantially improve the air-to-air attack capability of the Indian Air Force using TEJAS MK-2.
It is viewed as a 4.5-generation fighter; the TEJAS MK-2 has numerous features that make it a strong competitor to the Rafale. It can be equipped with modern AESA radar systems and advanced weaponry. The TEJAS MK-2 developed by DRDO will also be integrated with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, adding to the striking ability and lethality.
The Meteor missile's biggest strength is the large No Escape Zone (NEZ) — the distance an enemy aircraft cannot evade the missile once it enters the range. This zone is many times bigger than conventional missiles. According to the media reports, their strike range is officially stated as over 100 km, but many estimate it can range 200 km or more. This capability gives the TEJAS MK-2 a crucial first-strike advantage, enabling it to engage and neutralize enemy aircraft before they come within their own attack range.
The Meteor missile's two-way data link enables the Uttam AESA radar or other sensors in the TEJAS MK-2 network to receive real-time data to update the missile mid-course and re-target. This will provide accuracy and lethality in a highly contested electronic jamming environment. With this capability, the TEJAS MK-2 can launch attacks not only using its own radar but also by acquiring target information from third-party platforms, enabling fully network-centric warfare.
The indigenous Uttam AESA radar installed in the TEJAS MK-2 will have Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology which will allow it to point fighter-sized targets at more than 200 km. It will even make it a efficient power usage radar and then it will also be better for electronic jamming. The sensor fusion and seamless link with the Meteor missile means the TEJAS MK-2 has a far better capability to detect, track and kill enemies at long ranges.
The Meteor missile is already found on advanced multi-role combat aircraft such as the Rafale, Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and F-35. And with India's integration of the Meteor on the TEJAS MK-2, India will have essentially, if not better, BVR capabilities recognized with its operational requirements. The introduction of the Meteor to the TEJAS MK-2 would command a long-range enemy target under attack capability while keeping the TEJAS MK-2 out of reach from armaments. This increase in distance to destroy the enemy target gives the pilot increased confidence to 'shoot first, kill first,' which seriously improves survivability, even in a high-threat environment. The Meteor missile capability combined with the Uttam AESA radar gives the Indian Air Force a critical advantage in 21st-century air combat.
