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If you squint, you can see the Bobbetized fins
MDBA is looking at clipping the fins of the Meteor, as was done with the AIM-120 AMRAAM, so that it can be properly accommodated in the internal weapons bay of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
If you squint, you can see the Bobbetized fins
It makes sense, since by any reasonable measure, foreign sales of the F-35 will dominate the international sales.
This is not surprising. Among the active radar guided missiles, is the 2nd smallest, after the French MICA, the AIM-120 has the what appears to be the shortest range and end game kinematics, which makes a ready market for an extended range missile, particularly when used in the F-35, which, unlike the F-22, is not expected to be launching the missile at 20,000 m and mach 1.3+, which significantly improves range.
The USAF is aware of this, and is looking to develop a longer ranged, "dual-role air dominance missile," to replace both the AMRAAM and the HARM missile.
It would probably make more sense for the USAF to go with an existing system like the Meteor under license production, with some modification to the software and seeker to meet their needs, but that would eliminate some 6 figure consulting gigs for the generals once they retire, which mitigates against this sort of solution.
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