The United Kingdom (U.K.) Ministry of Defense awarded MBDA a $240 million production order to supply an undisclosed amount of Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAMs) for use on the F-35 fast fighter jet.
The ASRAAM is an infra-red (also known as heat-seeking) guided air-to-air missile produced by MBDA.
The ASRAAM is set to be the first British-designed missile to enter service for the F-35. MBDA was previously under contract for an ASRAAM capability sustainment program for the Typhoon fast jet. This new order calls for increased production of the missiles.
MBDA highlighted that value for money is ensured in this order by re-use of components from other MBDA products like the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) while also retaining the benefits of a single IR missile across the fast jet fleet.
The ASRAAMs are set to be built at the company’s Bolton manufacturing and assembly site with engineering activities to occur at MBDA sites in Stevenage and Bristol.