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Armed Forces - RAF Aircraft - Typhoon
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The first production aircraft flew in 2003,
and delivery of the first aircraft started during early 2004. The Typhoon
is to replace the Tornado F3 and then the Jaguar.
It is planned that the Typhoon front-line will comprise 7 squadrons, of
which 4 will be primarily Air Defence, 2 Swing-role, and one Offensive
Support covering a full range of Combat Air Operations.
Initial deliveries will be to the Typhoon hub at RAF Coningsby. Subsequent
aircraft will go to Tornado F3 squadrons at Leeming and Leuchars before
Jaguar squadrons are re-equipped.
The Typhoon (formerly EFA – European Fighter Aircraft) is a single seat,
STOL capable aircraft optimised for air superiority/air defence and ground
attack roles. Germany, Italy and Spain are UK partners in the most costly
European collaboration programme to date.
The air forces of the four countries have ordered a total of 620
Eurofighters (UK 232, Germany 180, Italy 121, and Spain 87). The UK will
receive its aircraft in 3 x Tranches. Tranche 1 - 55 aircraft (mainly air
defence aircraft with some multi-role towards the end of the tranche).
Tranche 2 - 89 aircraft Tranche 3 - 88 aircraft (Final decision on
production and numbers not required before 2007)
The original estimated procurement cost of the
RAF Typhoons was some £16.7bn, including research and development costs –
making it the most expensive weapon system yet produced for the UK armed
forces. The latest unit cost estimate is £64.8 million across Tranche 1
and Tranche 2 aircraft.
Typhoon is a fifth-generation combat aircraft with fully digital,
integrated aircraft, avionics and weapon systems. Typhoon is designed to
perform at least five air missions. air superiority, air interdiction,
Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), Close Air Support (CAS) and
Maritime Attack. It may in time be modified to fulfil naval aircraft
carrier roles, and a navalised version of Typhoon may be the longer term
answer to the Joint Strike Fighter programme if difficulties with the
United States cannot be resolved.
The aircraft is designed to carry 6 x medium-range and 2 x short-range
air-to-air missiles. The aircraft has 13 x store stations and an internal
gun fitted on the starboard side. A range of air-to-ground weapons can be
carried, including the new Storm Shadow CASOM, Brimstone anti-armour
weapon, and the future Precision Guided Bomb (PGB). No modifications will
be necessary to carry "smart" weapons and 3 stations can carry external
fuel pods. The Captor radar is a collaboration European design. Other
sensors include the Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) system. The
Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) equipment is carried in 2 x wing pods
that are an integral part of the wing. The datalink is provided by the
Multiple Image Data System (MIDS). The aircraft will be able to operate
from a 500 metre strip.
There has been much discussion regarding the quality and performance of
this aircraft. During an exchange in the House of Lords on 13 January 2006
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Lord Bach commented “ I must
refer to the senior United States Air Force general who, fresh from an
exhilarating first flight in Typhoon and, naturally, quite excited, was
heard to say "This is the best fast jet in the world"
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TYPHOON
Specifications
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| Crew
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1
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| Length
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15.96m |
| Height
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5.23m
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| Wingspan
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10.95m
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| Max Speed
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1,321mph/2,125
kph
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| Empty Weight
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22,000lb/9,999kg
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| Max Take-Off Weight
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46,305lb/21,000kg
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| Ferry Range
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5,382 km/3,310
miles with 4 x drop tanks
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| Engine
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2 x Eurojet
EJ200 turbofans
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Armament
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1 x 27mm (first RAF batch
only)
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| Air
Interdiction
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2 x Storm
Shadow
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2
x ALARM
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4 x AMRAAM
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2 x ASRAAM
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2 x 1,500 litre fuel
tank
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1 x 1,000 litre fuel
tank
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| Close Air
Support
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18 x
Brimstone
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4 x AMRAAM
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2 x ASRAAM
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1 x 1,000 litre
fuel tank
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| SEAD
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6 x ALARM
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4 x AMRAAM
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2 x ASRAAM
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1 x 1,000 litre fuel
tank
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Maritime Attack
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4 x Penguin
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4 x AMRAAM
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2 x ASRAAM
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2 x 1,500 litre fuel
tank
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1 x 1,000 litre fuel tank
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| Also Sidewinder
AAM; Meteor BVRAAM; Paveway II,III, EPR (IV) LGB; JDAM or other
PGB |
In service with:
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3 Squadron |
12 x Typhoon |
RAF Coningsby (from 1 April 2006) |
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17 (R) Squadron |
6e x Typhoon |
RAF Coningsby (Typhoon OEU) |
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29 Squadron |
12e x Typhoon |
RAF Coningsby (Typhoon OCU) |
Photos
Crown Copyright
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