Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM vs MBDA Meteor
Full specs: Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM MBDA Meteor
Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM and MBDA Meteor are both missile, compared here on public specifications. The MBDA Meteor leads on range (200 vs 160 km).
Verdict
The core difference between these two missiles is propulsion, not just range. The AIM-120D is rocket-powered, giving it high initial speed that decays over its flight, with a published range around 160km. Meteor is ramjet-powered, its motor keeps burning throughout the engagement rather than coasting after boost, which is why MBDA and most independent analysts credit it with a substantially larger no-escape zone (the envelope a target cannot outrun or out-maneuver) even though its published range (200km) is not dramatically longer. AMRAAM's advantage is legacy integration and sheer numbers: some 28,000 built and fielded by 40 operators across a huge range of Western aircraft. Meteor is newer, arms fewer air forces (8 operators), but is generally regarded as the more capable weapon in a sustained BVR engagement against a maneuvering target.
Analysis by Cole Merrick, Defense-systems data columnist, WeaponSpecs · Last updated 2026-08-06
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Full data
Full spec sheet
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (Mach) (Mach) | 4 Mach | 4 Mach |
| Range (km) | 160 km | 200 km ✓ |
| Firepower | ||
| Warhead (kg) | 18 kg | 25 kg ✓ |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 3.66 m | 3.65 m |
| Combat weight (kg) | 152 kg | 185 kg |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $1,500,000 ✓ | $2,000,000 |
| Units built | 28,000 ✓ | 3,000 |
| Operator countries | 40 ✓ | 8 |
Analysis
Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM vs MBDA Meteor: how they match up
Propulsion and the no-escape zone
The AIM-120D uses a solid-fuel rocket motor: fast acceleration, then an unpowered coast to the target, meaning its effective range against a maneuvering, energy-managing target shrinks well below its maximum published range. Meteor's ramjet keeps thrusting through most of the flight, so it retains more energy for terminal maneuvering, the reason MBDA markets it around a "no-escape zone" several times larger than a comparable rocket-powered missile, rather than around raw maximum range alone.
Range and speed
Published figures put the AIM-120D at roughly 160km range and Meteor at roughly 200km, both cited at up to Mach 4, though maximum range for both, like most air-to-air missiles, is measured under favorable launch conditions (altitude, closure speed) rarely matched in an actual engagement.
Guidance and warhead
Both missiles use active radar homing with a two-way datalink for in-flight updates and GPS/INS-aided midcourse guidance, letting the launching aircraft update the missile's target track before terminal homing. Meteor carries a larger 25kg blast-fragmentation warhead against the AIM-120D's 18kg, and is slightly heavier overall (185kg vs 152kg combat weight) and marginally shorter (3.65m vs 3.66m).
Fleet integration and cost
AMRAAM is the far more widely fielded weapon, roughly 28,000 built for 40 operators across the bulk of the U.S. and allied fast-jet fleet, at an approximate $1.5 million unit cost. Meteor, integrated on the Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen and F-35, has been built in smaller numbers (around 3,000) for 8 operators at a higher approximate $2 million unit cost, reflecting its role as the newer, more specialized weapon rather than the mass-produced standard.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meteor better than AMRAAM? +
Most analysts credit Meteor with a larger no-escape zone thanks to its ramjet motor sustaining thrust through the engagement, while AMRAAM has the edge in fleet-wide integration, numbers built, and operator count.
Why does Meteor have a bigger no-escape zone if its range isn't much longer? +
Its ramjet motor keeps burning through most of the flight rather than coasting after an initial boost, so it retains more energy to run down a maneuvering target, not just to fly farther in a straight line.
Can the F-35 carry the Meteor missile? +
Yes, Meteor is integrated on the F-35 alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and Gripen, per public program information, though AMRAAM remains the F-35's primary standard BVR weapon in U.S. service.
How much does an AMRAAM or Meteor missile cost? +
Roughly $1.5 million per AIM-120D versus an approximate $2 million per Meteor round, both publicly cited estimates rather than audited program figures.
Which has the longer range? +
The MBDA Meteor has the longest range at 200 km.
Which is cheaper? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM has the lower public unit-cost figure at 1,500,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher max speed (mach)? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM has the higher max speed (mach) at 4 Mach.
Which has the higher warhead? +
The MBDA Meteor has the higher warhead at 25 kg.
Which has the higher units built? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM has the higher units built at 28,000.
Which has the higher operator countries? +
The Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM has the higher operator countries at 40.
Is the Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM better than the MBDA Meteor? +
On the public specs we track, the Raytheon (RTX) AIM-120D AMRAAM leads on 3 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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