Unique AMRAAM Firing With Eurofighter Typhoon
HALLBERGMOOS, The Netherlands, April 1/ PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Yesterday we saw the success of a unique AMRAAM firing trial
at Moron Air base in Southern Spain. The trial was the result of close
cooperation between the Spanish and British Flight Test Centres of EADS CASA
and BAE Systems, under guidance of Eurofighter GmbH, using Eurofighter
Typhoons IPA4 and IPA5 - Spanish and British aircraft respectively.
The objective of the testing was to fire the AMRAAM missile from a
Eurofighter Typhoon whilst its radar was in passive mode and thus "invisible"
for Electronic Support Measures (ESM) Systems. The necessary target data for
the missile was acquired by the radar of a second Eurofighter Typhoon and
transmitted using the Multi Functional Information Distribution System
(MIDS). Both aircraft were separated by quite a distance in range.
This scenario is especially relevant for Eurofighter Typhoon's Beyond
Visual Range (BVR) air combat capability against high level threats,
including Low Observable aircraft.
Spain's IPA4 led the trial as the "firer", while IPA5 as the "cooperator"
illuminated the target with its radar active. This trial is the first known
testing of its kind and is the first missile firing that Spain has
participated in as part of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, building on
their previous flight test work which includes Meteor environmental testing
and air-to-ground weapon trials.
The complex test was meticulously planned over several months and
involved a large team of experts from across all partner nations as well as
the US, who provided support for the exercise. The trial took place at a
closed range in Southern Spain using a Mirach drone.
IPA5, the supporting British aircraft flew over from Warton in Lancashire
on Thursday 12th March to assist in the trials and recorded a flight of two
hours and four minutes non-stop, covering over 1000 miles to reach Moron air
base on only two external fuel tanks and without Air Refuelling. IPA4 will
now begin an 11 month Lay-up in order to bring the aircraft up to Tranche 2
functionality.
Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new
generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and
has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom,
Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract,
it is Europe's largest military collaborative programme and delivers
leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe's aerospace industry in the
global competition. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by
the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf
of the Eurofighter Partner Companies Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS
CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe's foremost aerospace companies with a total
turnover of approx. EUR88 billion (2008).
High Resolution images of the Eurofighter Typhoon can be
downloaded from our web site. Hard Copy images are available on request.
For More Information contact
Wolfdietrich Hoeveler
Vice President Communication
Eurofighter GmbH
+49-811-801-555 (Office)
+49-172-832-9751(Mobile)
wolfdietrich.hoeveler@eurofighter.com
Source: Eurofighter GmbH
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