Aircraft To Be Operational In Late-2008

Representatives with the UK Ministry of Defense tell ANN Royal Air Force Coningsby (No. XI Squadron) took delivery this week of its first two multi-role Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The aircraft will become operational by the latter half of 2008.

In service now for nearly four years, the Typhoon is already exceeding the Royal Air Force's expectations with its outstanding high performance. The RAF expects over the coming years -- in both its air-to-air and air-to-surface roles -- Typhoon will provide a world-class, multi-role aircraft.

The air-to-surface capability will provide crews with the ability to mount all-weather autonomous precision ground attack missions, and represents a significant enhancement for the Royal Air Force and the Typhoon fleet. The air-to-surface capability will include the Rafael Litening III Laser Designator Pod and Enhanced Paveway II dual-mode guided bombs.

The proven Enhanced Paveway II bomb is capable of homing onto targets using global positioning system coordinates passed to it from Typhoon, or by homing in on Laser radiation reflected from the target. Block 5 aircraft meet the final standard for the Tranche 1 purchase of 55 aircraft.

Currently, a planned retrofit program is converting the previously delivered air-to-air capable Tranche 1 aircraft to the same multi-role standard.

Both The Block 5 aircraft were to be delivered to RAF Coningsby Wednesday. No decision have been taken yet as to where the Typhoons will ultimately be deployed.

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk, www.eurofighter.com/