C_A_M_2015_05_

New capabilities^

for Typhoon

P3E upgrade announced, strakes under test

T

HE UNITED KINGDOM’S

Ministry of Defence has

announced a £165-million

(€200-million) capability

upgrade for the Royal Air

Force’s Eurofi ghter

Typhoon fl eet.

The contract, signed during the

International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in

Abu Dhabi, comprises various avionics

system and weapons updates, including

integration of the MBDA Brimstone 2

air-to-ground missile, for which a feasibility

study and a trial installation were carried out

in 2014. Improvements will also be made to

the maintenance and mission systems.

Upgrades to the Typhoon made under the

contract will be implemented as part of the

Phase 3 Enhancements (P3E) package.

Upgraded aircraft are expected to be

delivered to the RAF from late 2018.

Following the P3E modifi cations, each

Typhoon will be able to carry up to six

Brimstone missiles, using two launchers on

the outboard pylons each carrying three

missiles.

While the primary focus of the P3E

upgrade is the introduction of the Brimstone

2 missile required by the RAF, it will also

enhance the capabilities of the Storm

Shadow long-range strike missile, the

Meteor, Paveway IV and ASRAAM

weapons.

22 May 2015 http://www.combataircraft.net

NEWS Europe

22-24 Europe C.indd 22 20/03/2015 11:19