On 28th April 2015, teams from the French Ministry of Defence, Dassault Aviation and MBDA carried out the first guided firing of the long-range Meteor missile against an air target from a Rafale combat aircraft. The test flight followed earlier missile separation trials carried out on the rafale in 2013 and 2014. The recent firing was performed from a two-seat variant over the DGA missiles test range in Biscarosse near Bordeaux. The recent firing represents an important milestone in the integration of Meteor onto the Rafale in line with the development of the aircraft in the next Rafale F3-R standard. The first Meteor missiles will be delivered as of 2018 to equip the Rafales of the French Air Force and Navy.
First Meteor BVRAAM launched from Rafale
France has performed the first launch and flight test of the 'Meteor' beyond visual range air-to-air missile from a Rafale combat jet. The missile is expected to be fielded in 2018 with the first batch of upgraded Rafale F3-R, which will also be fitted with RBE2 AESA radar and advanced Infrared Search Track system, enabling long-range engagement of hostile targets.
U.S. Accelerates Drone and eVTOL Integration: What the New Executive Order Means for America
President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility.
Rafael Unveils New Laser Beam Director for Iron Beam HELWS
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils its new IRON BEAM 450 HELWS with an upgraded laser beam director at the Paris Air Show. The system features a 450mm aperture with Coherent Beam Combining technology, enabling precision targeting of coin-sized objects beyond 10km while maintaining speed-of-light threat neutralization capabilities.
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator Achieves First Flight at Edwards AFB
Hermeus Corporation achieved the first flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator on May 27, 2025. Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from a clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The...
India Embarks on Ambitious 5th GEN Fighter
India formally approved its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, officially joining the fifth-generation stealth fighter market with a stealth, twin-engine advanced fighter jet.
The new development, approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will follow...
Operation “Web”: Ukraine’s FPV Drone Strike on Russian Strategic Airbases
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service launched “Web,” a covert FPV drone operation targeting four Russian airbases. Containerized launch modules smuggled drones deep into Russia, striking more than 40 bombers and AEW&C platforms. This unprecedented long-range attack signals a shift in drone warfare and compels Russia to rethink rear-area air defenses.
