RAF prepares to use Typhoon in combat

The long-awaited Eurofighter will be flown in combat for the first time next year when it is deployed to Afghanistan, defence sources disclosed 9 August 2007.

The first of two redesigned £80 million jets able to attack ground forces as well as enemy aircraft have been delivered to the RAF this week, The Daily Telegraph has learnt. For the next year RAF pilots will be training hard to fly the supersonic jets at speeds of up to Mach 2 at 100ft through narrow valleys as they prepare the aircraft for the war in Helmand province.

By next July, eight of the aircraft, named Typhoons, are expected to be deployed to Kandahar air base to begin supporting British and Nato troops in their fight against the Taliban.

But it has been a long and expensive acquisition, with the aircraft initially expected into service by 2000. Almost £13 billion has been spent on the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and this figure is expected to rise to £20 billion when all 232 have been delivered to the RAF.

Nevertheless, they should prove a major asset when they replace the aging Harrier squadron that has been operating successfully in Afghanistan since 2004.

Being able to achieve speeds of more than 1,500mph and carrying a probable payload of two 1,000lb, laser guided Paveway bombs, the multi-role Typhoons will be able to deliver

While the Harriers have been useful they are generally second on to the battlefield, with American jets with greater fuel capacity that are able to loiter over the ground providing the primary punch for British troops.
But by carrying extra fuel pods and with mid-air refuelling, the Typhoons, built in Britain by BAE Systems, can be stationed for several hours in the air, providing cover and support for troops during gun battles that sometimes last an entire day.

The sophisticated Sniper surveillance system will also allow pilots to view the battlefield through the eyes of ground troops, allowing them to drop bombs with pinpoint accuracy. The development means that in addition to being able to take on other fighters, the RAF Typhoons will be able to attack ground targets. The 27mm cannons will be used for the first time once ammunition can be supplied.

Wing Co Gavin Parker, officer commanding of XI Squadron, which took delivery of the latest fighters, said: "The Typhoon is already an exceptional air-to-air fighter and is demonstrating excellent potential in the air-to-surface role. It will make it a fantastic close air support machine."

The multi-role fighter

Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 or 1,800mph
Maximum G-force: 9Gs for pilot
Rate of climb: 62,000ft per minute
Service ceiling: 65,000ft
Gun: 27mm Mauser cannon
Missiles: Sidewinder and Meteor air-to-air, Storm Shadow cruise, Brimstone anti-tank, Harpoon anti-ship.
Other weapons: Enhanced Paveway and JDAM bombs
Wingspan: 35ft
Range: 870 miles


Source : telegraph.co.uk/ By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent

Posted : August 9, 2007


(13.08.2007)