What kind of warhead does the Meteor missile have?

The Meteor missile is equipped with a fragmentation warhead. This type of warhead is designed to maximize the damaging effects of the missile upon detonation, primarily by releasing numerous high-velocity fragments that can penetrate the target's defenses and destroy or incapacitate it. Fragmentation warheads are particularly effective against aerial threats, as they can create a wide area of destruction and increase the likelihood of a successful hit on fast-moving targets.

The choice of a fragmentation warhead for the Meteor missile aligns with its role as an advanced air-to-air missile, where the objective is to engage and neutralize enemy aircraft effectively. This design consideration ensures that the missile can operate efficiently in combat scenarios, offering a blend of range, speed, and lethality.

Other types of warheads, such as high explosive, foam, or nuclear, would not provide the same tailored effectiveness for the Meteor's designed purpose of air-to-air combat. High explosive warheads focus on blast effects rather than fragmentation, foam warheads are not commonly used in missile applications, and nuclear warheads are typically governed by different strategic considerations and are not employed in the context of air-to-air engagement like the Meteor missile.