A BAE Systems Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft featuring the latest weapons fit will display at the 2016 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and Farnborough International Air Show.
The UK Typhoon aircraft will take to the skies at the RIAT show on July 8, 9 and 10 followed by this year’s Farnborough International Air Show, with BAE Systems Experimental Test Pilot Nat Makepeace at the controls.
The display will demonstrate Typhoon carrying four Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missiles, two Brimstone 2 low collateral precision strike weapons (consisting of three Brimstone missiles each outboard wing pylon), two ASRAAM missiles and two Paveway IV laser guided precision weapons.
Nat Makepeace, BAE Systems Typhoon Experimental Test Pilot, said:
This is one of the first times a Typhoon aircraft has flown with this weapons fit and it demonstrates the significant milestones which have been achieved towards integration of these new capabilities on to Typhoon, providing the combat pilot with a full range of capabilities.
Typhoon provides air forces with a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations.
This display will also demonstrate is that Typhoon, even with this weapons fit, loses none of the incredible agility and manoeuverability for which it is known.
A significant contracted programme of work is currently being conducted by the Eurofighter Partner Companies, with the support of MBDA, Eurofighter GmbH and the UK Ministry of Defence, towards the integration Phase 2 and Phase 3 Enhancement packages for Typhoon.
Phase 1 Enhancements were delivered on to the aircraft last year, underlining Typhoon as a high-end multi-role weapon system with unmatched air-to-air capability and the integration of Paveway IV for precision air-to-surface operations.
With Phase 2, Typhoon will gain a deep attack capability through the integration of the Storm Shadow air-to-surface deep strike missile and a beyond visual range capability through integration of Meteor.
Phase 3 Enhancements will introduce a low collateral precision strike air-to-surface capability to Typhoon through Brimstone.