Typhoon and Brimstone
A Euro ghter Typhoon recently red a
MBDA Dual Mode Seeker (DMS) Brimstone
missile at the Aberporth Range, Wales,
during a mission own from BAE Systems'
Warton site on July 13. This was the rst live
ring of a Brimstone from a Typhoon. The
company’s chief test pilot Steve Formoso
launched the anti-armour weapon at a sea
target, after 40 captive carry trials ights
alongside the RAF’s 41(Reserve) Test and
Evaluation Squadron in a Combined Test
Team approach. This was an important steptowards the realisation of Project Centurion,
which will integrate new weapons on to the
jet to enable the retirement of the Tornado
GR4 in RAF service in 2019.
The successful trial follows completion
earlier this year of the ight trials programme
for the MBDA Storm Shadow deep strike
air-to-surface weapon and the MBDA Meteor
beyond visual range air-to-air missile.
Operational testing and evaluation of those
capabilities is currently ongoing with the
RAF ahead of entry into service next year.RAF Chinook HC4 Upgrade
The RAF’s eet of Chinook HC4 helicopters
is to be upgraded to a new HC6A standard,
by replacing the analogue ight control
systems with the Boeing Digital Automatic
Flight Control System (DAFCS). Work will
be carried out over the next 12 months on
all 38 HC4s now in service. The DAFCS is
intended to improve aircraft handling andstability in more demanding operational
environments and increase ight safety
in low-light levels and/or degraded visual
environments.
In addition, a contract has been placed
to incorporate an Airborne Collision
Avoidance System (ACAS) across the
Chinook eet, and this has alreadyachieved initial operating capability.
The RAF inventory includes 60
Chinooks, comprising 38 HC4s (former
HC2/2As upgraded under the Project Julius
programme), eight HC5s (previously HC3s),
and 14 HC6s that were delivered as new-
build airframes from Boeing and which are
based on the CH-47F.Affinity Flight Training Services’ rst Embraer
Phenom 100 arrived at RAF Cranwell,
Lincolnshire on July 10. The aircraft will
provide Multi-Engine Pilot Training to theBritish Armed Forces as part of the United
Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying
Training System (UKMFTS) programme.Affinity has ordered ve Phenom 100s and
services support and has an option for
additional follow-on aircraft.MILITARY NEWS
6 Aviation News Incorporating Jets September 2017The rst Phenom 100 for the UKMFTS programme arrives at RAF Cranwell. Gareth JordanPhenom Arrives at Cranwell
Bolivian RJ70 Arrives at Southend
Avro RJ70 FAB-107 arriving at London Southend Airport, Essex, on July 15 from Baca ̆u,
Romania, as part of its delivery ight to the Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana).
Originally delivered to Turkish Airlines (THY) in 1996 as TC-THN, it is still in the colours of its
last operator, MDLR Airlines, when it was registered as VT-MDN. Keith BurtonLast Saudi
Typhoon
Delivered
The 72nd and nal Euro ghter Typhoon
for the Royal Saudi Air Force was own to
Saudi Arabia from BAE Systems' Warton
facility on June 6.
The Kingdom ordered 72 Tranche 2
Typhoons in 2007 at an estimated cost
of £20bn. Under the original plans, the
rst 24 aircraft were to be built by BAE
Systems in the UK, with the remainder
to be assembled in Saudi Arabia at the
Alsalam Aircraft Company (a joint venture
between Boeing, Saudi Arabian Airways,
and Saudi Advanced Industries Company).
This plan was dropped in 2013 and all
72 aircraft were ultimately built in the UK.
The last two aircraft to depart the Warton
plant were single-seat Typhoons, 8023
and 8024 (UK serials ZK622 and ZK
respectively).
Initial deliveries took place in 2009 and
the ghters were provided in three batches.
Batch 1 covered the initial 24 aircraft,
including 12 two-seaters; Batch 2 comprised
the next 24 aircraft, of which six were two-
seaters and Batch 3 consisted of the nal 24
aircraft, including six two-seaters.06-08_military_newsDC.mfDC.indd 6 04/08/2017 15: