Typhoon della RAF

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Typhoons Declared Ready for Ground Attack Role

 

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued July 1, 2008)

 

 

 

The Royal Air Force's Typhoon aircraft marked another milestone in its capability today, Tuesday 1 July 2008, as it was declared operational in the air-to-ground role, becoming the Service's most advanced multi-role aircraft.

 

Last year Typhoons began contributing to the air defence of the UK by complementing the Tornado F3 Force at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire - one of two UK Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) locations. Earlier this year Typhoon fully took over the role of southern QRA at Coningsby and the F3 QRA force now operates from RAF Leuchars.

 

Following an exercise in the US, where XI Sqn Typhoons acquitted themselves well in a major Air-Land Forces exercise, the Typhoon is now officially declared multi-role and has considerably increased the RAF's war-fighting capability.

 

Said Station Commander of RAF Coningsby, Gp Capt Stu Atha:

 

"Today is another defining day for Typhoon, where potential has been turned into reality. It is a step increase in capability. What we have in Typhoon is a world-beating aircraft. It is agile, adaptable and capable, the three core elements of today's RAF."

 

The multi-role capability means that RAF Typhoons can now carry out precision ground ttack or air fefence tasks as required before take-off, but before long will become "swing-role", which means they will be able to alternate between roles within the same mission once airborne.

 

The declaration of the capability, officially known as the Multi-Role Operational Employment Date (OED), was announced by Commander-in-Chief RAF Air Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, who said:

 

"Typhoon is the most operationally flexible and effective aircraft the RAF has ever operated. In addition to Typhoon's current capability in the Air Defence role, it will allow us the ability to deliver a wide range of precision and non-precision weapons in the Ground Attack role wherever and whenever needed. It is most relevant to the threats we face today.

 

"Typhoon can now perform both roles and offers unparalleled combat persistence. During the recent trials it achieved virtually 100 percent serviceability. With a service life of many decades, Typhoon's time to deploy as a multi-role combat aircraft is still to come but the important fact is that this new capability is an extra club in the RAF's golf bag."

 

The OED of July 1 2008 was set many years ago and meeting the date on time is as a result of effective teamwork between the MOD, BAe Systems and the RAF, said Gp Capt Atha. The MOD team was led by Gp Capt Mike Smith of the Defence Equipment and Support's Typhoon Integrated Project Team, based at Abbey Wood near Bristol:

 

"Typhoon still has much more to contribute," he explained. "In the future its capacity to deliver will improve as software improves and even better weaponry comes into service. You could say that today marks the end of just the beginning of Typhoon."

 

To mark the occasion today a Typhoon equipped with its high-tech Litening III laser-designator pod flew over RAF Coningsby and demonstrated its ground-attack capability after having its theoretical fire directed precisely onto a target by Forward Air Controllers on the ground. Media attending then realised the target was their own tent when they saw themselves on the FAC's monitor.

 

A data link from the Litening pod enabled the troops exercising a combat role to receive on a laptop the air "picture" that was beamed from many thousands of feet above them, allowing them to interpret enemy activity and take action. Typhoon is now able to drop Paveway 2, Enhanced Paveway 2 and freefall 1,000lb bombs.

 

On the ground an example of the multi-role Typhoon armed with the latest ground attack munitions was shown off alongside the RAF's Lancaster bomber and Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, also based at RAF Coningsby. The Lancaster was the best British ground attack bomber of World War Two, and the Spitfire was the air-defence fighter that defended the skies of Southern England against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

 

Today's announcement comes after several intensive weeks of trials in the US which culminated in exercise Green Flag in Nevada. Seven Typhoons dropped a variety of bombs with such precision and effect that plans for the aircraft to be declared combat ready were prepared as soon as they returned to the UK.

 

From today a number RAF Typhoons will be at operational readiness to deploy overseas if deemed necessary. There are no plans at present to deploy Typhoon to Afghanistan or Iraq; the RAF's Tornado GR4 Force is due to deploy to Kandahar next spring to replace Harriers.

 

The Typhoon has been operational since July last year when it started taking on the Air Defence role of "Quick Reaction Alert" (QRA), the 24/7 readiness to intercept and deal with threats to the UK's air space.

 

Mainland UK air defence is conducted from RAF Coningsby (Southern QRA) with Typhoons, and RAF Leuchars in Scotland (Northern QRA), currently with Tornado but within a few years with Typhoon also. The RAF also provides QRA over the Falklands with Tornado, but it is planned for Typhoon to assume that role next year.

 

Added Gp Capt Atha:

 

"Typhoon will be the cornerstone of the RAF's airpower capability for the next three decades and enable us to deliver a range of precise effects to defend the UK and support its aims globally."

 

Wg Cdr Gav Parker, Officer Commanding XI Sqn, said of the new Litening III designator pod:

 

"I was able to track a car from high altitude, with the pod automatically following it as it stopped, started and travelled around bends in the road. During the Exercise Typhoon proved that it is an excellent ground-attack aircraft. The ability to deploy freefall weapons as well as precision munitions is still a key capability because they can be delivered very quickly and fused to achieve a wide range of effects.

 

"Due to Typhoon's inherent air-defence capabilities it has the advantage of being able to "self escort" whereas other older types of ground-attack aircraft often have to have a dedicated shield of air defence fighters with them for protection.

 

"Exercise Green Flag in Nevada allowed us to better understand how we can assist the land environment in a conflict. Understanding the situation on the ground is essential in order to carry out close air support quickly and efficiently while minimising the risk to civilians and wider infrastructure," added Wg Cdr Parker.

 

"The Rover III technology links the pictures and data from our Litening III targeting pod to ground forces via a laptop-style receiver, allowing both pilot and soldier to see the same picture and jointly decide on the appropriate air response." (ends)

 

RAF Typhoons Now Multi-Role Capable

 

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued July 1, 2008)

 

 

 

The Royal Air Force has declared its Typhoon jets multi-role capable today. The RAF Typhoons can now carryout precision Ground Attack as well as Air Defence tasks. The declaration, which was made at the home base of the Typhoon Force, RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, represents a major milestone in the development of the state-of-the-art aircraft.

 

Commander-in-Chief of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said:

 

"The declaration of Typhoon being multi-role capable is a truly significant step in the development of this remarkable aircraft...This latest capability upgrade gives the Royal Air Force the most operationally flexible aircraft it has ever had."

 

Typhoon aircraft took part in a very successful deployment to the USA in spring for trials and front-line training culminating in Exercise Green Flag, which is a large USAF and US Army exercise that involves Close Air Support to troops. The Typhoons proved their ability to deploy to environments that are representative of current operational theatres. During this deployment the aircraft demonstrated exceptional serviceability by achieving 99% of planned sorties.

 

A delighted Group Captain Stuart Atha, Station Commander of RAF Coningsby said at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada:

 

"What we have in Typhoon is a world-beating aircraft. The mantra in the RAF is, 'agile, adaptable and capable' and that is precisely what this aircraft is." Talking about the ground attack role, he added: "You just have to look at the world today to see the relevance of the air-to-surface role, and hence it is really important that this aircraft should have this capability. Well we've done it; we have achieved it. The guys have demonstrated the capability, which is great news."

 

 

BACKGROUND NOTES:

1. The Typhoon Multi-Role declaration is formally known as MR OED: Multi-Role Operational Employment Date.

 

2. Exercise Green Flag ran from 23rd May to 6th June this year at Nellis Air force Base, Nevada, USA. The exercise provides world class Close Air Support training for US and Allied forces in realistic combat environments.

 

3. Over a two-week period of pre-exercise training at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, a total of ten Typhoons from XI and 17(Reserve) Squadrons, dropped a total of 67 munitions, comprising 43 Paveway II bombs, eight enhanced Paveway IIIs and 16 1,000 lb free-fall bombs.

 

4. The Typhoon's first operational role started on 29th June 2007 when it assumed Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) South duties, which it shared at the time with Tornado F3 aircraft.

 

5. In January 2008 Typhoon achieved its planned Air Defence Operational Employment Date (ADX OED). In April 08 the Typhoon assumed complete responsibility for QRA(I) South and was declared deployable in the Air Defence role to NATO.

 

6. Typhoon is the result of a formal agreement in 1988 between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain to develop an agile multi-role aircraft capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations.

 

Pilot (F-16 usaf) Tackles Typhoons During Exchange Duty in England

 

(Source: US Air Force; issued July 1, 2008)

 

 

 

ROYAL AIR FORCE CONINGSBY, England --- When an American F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot was given the opportunity of applying for an exchange posting, he had no hesitation in selecting a tour to fly the F-2 Typhoon with the Royal Air Force.

 

"I was attracted by the opportunity to fly a new airplane, to go somewhere different and be part of developing the tactics and procedures on a new aircraft," Maj. Paul Carlton said.

 

After 20 hours flying Hawks at RAF Valley to familiarize himself with England's airspace and procedures, the major joined 29 ® Squadron to fly Typhoons at RAF Coningsby, which is about 130 miles north of London. .

 

"My first impression was it had lots of things which make pilots happy -- thrust, speed, altitude and turn capability. It's a lot of fun to fly and Typhoon is certainly going to transform the RAF," he said. "As it moves forward in its development, Typhoon will become a larger and larger player in coalition operations."

 

Major Carlton said size is the main difference between a U.S. Air Force flying squadron and one from the RAF: A U.S. squadron has two to three times the aircraft, pilots and members.

 

"There's also a very different attitude and culture," he said. "However, it's the people who make or break what you do and the very reason I am here is to engage with people and I've enjoyed the opportunity of integrating into the local culture."

 

The major, who is now one of four American pilots at RAF Coningsby, has also enjoyed the opportunity of contributing to development of the F-2 in service.

 

"We bring a balance to the training program. With our experience of multirole aircraft, we can provide input on where best to place emphasis to meet the mission," he said.

 

British Group Capt. Stuart Atha, the station commander at RAF Coningsby and head of the Typhoon force, said he is a strong advocate of the exchange program.

 

"The relationship between the RAF and U.S. military is very close, and since World War II it has gone from strength to strength," Group Captain Atha said. "I am delighted we have a number of U.S. pilots here at Coningsby so we can learn from each other and share our knowledge. This is an outstanding opportunity to exploit our respective knowledge. The fact that we've done it so early in the genesis of the program is a reflection of the closeness of the two air forces."

 

The exchange program, in its current guise, commenced in 1971 when the flying services agreed to allow each other's personnel to fill reciprocal positions. Designed to maximize the special relationship the United Kingdom shared with the United States, the benefits to many areas of air force activity were immediately apparent, Group Captain Atha said. The exchange program grew steadily to encompass agreements with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard.

 

The range of specializations also broadened and now embraces everything from air transport, fast jet and airborne early warning to project engineers, research and development, and force protection specialists to name but a few. The program today stands at an exchange of some 60 RAF members who have swapped places with 60 Americans now stationed in England.

[paperinik]

...sì, ma oltre a Paveway2, Enhanced Paveway e ordigni da 1000Kg cos'altro si spera di poter agganciare al ventre del Typhoon?!?!? Tante belle parole, ma nulla sulla certificazione futura di compatibilità con altri sistemi d'arma.

Modificato 3 Luglio 2008 da paperinik

[Rick86]

C'è sempre l'incognita Storm Shadow dopo le bizze del Taurus

[samurai]

Secondo me la RAF ha agito benissimo, l'Ami dovrebbe fare altrettanto e creare almeno un minimo di capacità aria-terra per i suoi Typhoon

[enrr]

Secondo me la RAF ha agito benissimo, l'Ami dovrebbe fare altrettanto e creare almeno un minimo di capacità aria-terra per i suoi Typhoon

dovrebbe, ma finchè fa finta che sia solo un caccia da interdizione...

[samurai]

beh, non a caso l'ami arriva sempre buona ultima a recepire le nuove tattiche e tecnologie.. e poi non ci sono i fondi

[Ospite iscandar]

beh, non a caso l'ami arriva sempre buona ultima a recepire le nuove tattiche e tecnologie.. e poi non ci sono i fondi

certe volte non è male arrivare buoni ultimi, perchè utilizzi le esperienze buone/brutte degli altri...

[samurai]

peccato che la nostra storia militare sia piena di casi nei quali oltre ad essere arrivati buoni ultimi a mettere in pratica teorie da noi enunciate, spesso e volentieri siamo riusciti a fare anche male!!!

[Andrea75]

Visto che non ho trovato un topic dedicato alla RAF, proporrei di utlizzare questo (magari adeguandone il nome).

 

segnalo un concorso fotografico IN PICTURES: RAF Photographic Competition 2012

 

Royal Air Force photographic competition 2012

 

A Tornado GR4 aircraft launching from RAF Marham

 

A Typhoon from RAF Coningsby performs as part of their public display authority obligation.