A Eurofighter Typhoon has successfully completed a simultaneous firing of two MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles as part of a major programme of work to integrate the weapon on to the aircraft.
The test was conducted using Airbus Defence & Space Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 4 with the support of BAE Systems, Eurofighter GmbH, MBDA and the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
The trial was used to test successful engagement of targets and the simultaneous two-way data link between two missiles and the aircraft. The data gathered follows a series of six successful Meteor firings conducted from Eurofighter Typhoon in 2016. Following loading activity at BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information site, in Warton, UK, the trials took place over the UK’s Hebrides Range.
It is the latest successful flight trial conducted by the Eurofighter Partner Companies as part of a major programme of work to add additional capability on to Eurofighter Typhoon, ensuring it is ready to meet the threats of the future.
Andy Flynn, Eurofighter Delivery Director for BAE Systems UK, said: “This is another major milestone on the Meteor programme and the first successful test of a dual firing. Meteor brings to Eurofighter Typhoon an unparalleled air-to-air engagement capability and this successful trial – following on from a series of firings last year – is further evidence of how the Eurofighter Partner Companies are working together to deliver major enhancements to Typhoon’s multi-role capabilities.”
Customer Operational Evaluation and Training with Meteor is due to take place with the UK Royal Air Force later this year.
Eurofighter Typhoon is the most advanced new generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft currently available on the world market. Eight customers (Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait) have already ordered the Eurofighter Typhoon. With 599 aircraft ordered, Eurofighter Typhoon is currently the largest military procurement programme in Europe.
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies, Airbus Defence and Space in Germany and Spain, BAE Systems in the UK and Leonardo in Italy, which are the most important aviation and aerospace companies in Europe.
