UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force Coningsby (No XI Squadron) took delivery this week of its first two multi-role Typhoon aircraft. They will become operational by the latter half of 2008.
In service now for nearly 4 years, Typhoon is already exceeding the Royal Air Force's expectations with its outstanding high performance.
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 co-ordinates 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 programme is converting the previously delivered air-to-air capable Tranche 1 aircraft to the same multi-role standard.
Background Information
1. The Block 5 aircraft will be delivered to RAF Coningsby on 8 August.
2. No decision have been taken yet as to where the Typhoons will be deployed.
3. The multi-role derivatives of Typhoon forms Block 5 of the 1st tranche purchase of 55 aircraft.
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