Eurofighter has rolled out a major capability enhancement package for its Typhoon swing-role/multi-role combat aircraft at the ongoing 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany.
Claimed to be a paradigm shift in the capability of the Typhoon, the package incorporates lessons learned during the operations in Libya, and are designed to significantly enhance the air-surface capabilities and completely revise the human machine interface for multirole operations.
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In addition to this, the enhancements are also expected to enable the pilot to seamlessly transition between air-to-air and air-to-ground modes.
Eurofighter capability manager Paul Smith said the second element of the Phase 1 Enhancements (P1Eb) package is a significant advancement for the programme, and allows Typhoon to realise both its air-to-air and air-to-ground capability to full effect.
"This package also paves the way for the Eurofighter to deploy deep strike stand-off weapons that can target high-value highly protected surface targets," Smith added. He also noted that the company is currently conducting the integration and flight test of the Storm Shadow missile.
Eurofighter CEO Alberto Gutierrez said the P1Eb package is "an important time in the evolution of the Programme and the capability roadmap for Eurofighter continues to deliver."
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By GlobalDataThe package also integrates the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), which has higher average speed than conventional missiles, and when combined with Typhoons’ kinetics, is claimed to deliver a ‘no escape zone’ greater than three times that of comparable weaponry.
The package also includes a suite of capability upgrades for the aircraft’s defensive aids sub system (DASS), and the latest interoperability updates for its multifunction and distribution systems (MIDS).
Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter manufactured by a consortium of EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE for deployment during air operations, including air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict missions worldwide.
The aircraft has been ordered by the air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UK.
Image: Eurofighter capability manager Paul Smith with Typhoon aircraft at 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany. Photo: courtesy of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug.
