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First Typhoon Tranche 2 enhancements in testing |
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Tuesday, 28 October 2008 |
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Flight tests have begun on the first Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2 capability enhancements.
Alenia Aeronautica has begun flight tests for the advanced capabilities covered by the phase one enhancement (P1E) programme for Tranche 2 weapons systems on the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Along with the UK's BAE Systems and Eads, of France, the Italian firm is part of the Eurofighter GmbH holding company that is developing the Typhoon in three distinct stages (tranches), each with improved capabilities.
After P1E testing has finished next year, avionics flight trials involving all four Tranche 2 standard production aircraft will begin with a view to meeting a service release date of 2011 for the P1E weapons capabilities.
Aloysius Rauen, chief executive of Eurofighter, noted: "The insertion of new capabilities onto Eurofighter Typhoon represents the consortium's drive to provide our customer Air Forces with a weapon system that meets all current and projected mission requirement."
The multi-role Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft has been ordered by six nations - UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia - and is the largest European military collaborative programme with 707 aircraft under contract.
Last week, BAE Systems flew the first Typhoon equipped with the Royal Saudi Air Force's grey livery. The flight marks the beginning of initial testing for the fighter aircraft, which is being assembled in Lancashire. |
