some additional improvements in
the electronic warfare data system,
highly valued by the pilots during
their work in the US.
Spain Tranche 2 and 3 Typhoons
can currently use IRIS-T and AIM-
120C-5 and 7 air-to-air missiles,
GBU-10/16 Paveway II laser-guided
bombs and the GBU-48 with both
laser and GPS guidance. For target
identi cation and air-to-ground
weapon designation, the service has
12 Litening III pods in the inventory,
which incorporates a system that
enables images to be shared with
controllers on the ground.
With the upcoming
commissioning of the P2E
modernisation, the Meteor air-to-
air missile will be available. These
will almost certainly be joined by
the Taurus KEPD cruise missile
currently in service with the 12th and
15th Wing’s Hornets.INDIGENOUS SOFTWARE
Spain has been developing its own
software to allow the Tranche 1
Typhoons to use the same weapons
as the later aircraft and the Litening
III pod. In the summer of 2016, the
rst nationally developed software,
known as OFP-01E (Operational
Flight Program No.1 from Spain)
was completed. After the
operational evaluation, the new software
was installed across the eet, providing
numerous advantages such as digital
integration of the IRIS-T missile. It offers
a full off-boresight capability, the ability to
launch missiles using the helmet visor, aswell as presenting relevant information on
the visor.
But the most important element is
that it’s the base for development of theOFP-02E system. This project
started in December 2015 and
should be fully operational this
year. The main modi cations
will be upgrading the cockpit
programmes, integrating the
AIM-120C-7 missile, GBU-48
and Mk.83 bombs, along with the
Litening III pod. It will also result
in the replacement of the Tranche
1 computer symbol generator
and the video voice recorder with
a digital video voice recorder. It
will also see the integration of
improvements to the Defensive
Aid Sub-System (DASS) that
have been applied to RAF aircraft
and integration of multifunctional
information distribution system low
volume terminal (MIDS-LVT) block
upgrade 2.
Like the rest of the Euro ghter
partner nations Spain’s Typhoons
will receive more upgardes in the
years ahead.MORE TYPHOONS?
General Salto, the Spanish Chief
of the Air Staff (JEMA), recently
said three alternatives are being
considered to replace the nation’s
Hornets in the next decade or so.
The trio of options are new F/A-
18E/F Super Hornet, buying the
F-35A Lightning II or more new
Typhoons.
Whatever happens, it is certain Spanish
Typhoons will continue to play a vital role
defending the nation and contributing to
NATO commitments for many years to
come.24 Aviation News incorporating Jets June 2018A Spanish Typhoon climbs down from the
cockpit after a sortie.A Spanish Typhoon makes an impressive afterburner take-off. Key Collection20-24_spanish_typhoonsDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 24 03/05/2018 16:38