MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missile has for the first time been released from a Eurofighter Typhoon, as part of an extensive capability update.
Conducted over the Aberporth test range in the UK on 6 November, the milestone event involved releasing the precision-strike weapon from beneath the wing of Alenia Aermacchi’s instrumented production aircraft IPA2.
Eurofighter
“The integration of the missile with the aircraft’s weapon system was successfully demonstrated,” the Eurofighter consortium says. “The trials also verified the interface of the missile with the weapon system for pre-launch checks, demonstrated post-launch safe separation and the subsequent commencement of missile flight.”
More than 5m (16.4ft) in length and weighing 1,300kg (2,860lb), the Storm Shadow has a range of more than 135nm (250km). The weapon is the “whopper” of the European manufacturer’s air-launched portfolio, notes MBDA UK military advisor Russ Martin.
Alenia Aermacchi
Integration of the new Typhoon weapon forms part of an ongoing programme of enhancements for the European type, along with MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and Brimstone 2 air-to-surface missile.
Referring to the ongoing test programme, Sqn Ldr Alex Tennant from the UK’s Typhoon combined test team says Storm Shadow should be available for use following the delivery of approved P2E-standard software around the middle of 2017. While the UK is looking to introduce the weapon with the Eurojet EJ200-powered type to coincide with the retirement of its Panavia Tornado GR4s around 2019, other operators are interested in fielding the enhancement sooner, he says.
During a briefing at the show, Eurofighter capability development manager Paul Smith highlighted the Typhoon’s current role in providing air defence services for operator nations Austria, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the UK, plus during NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. He also referred to the Royal Saudi Air Force’s current combat employment of the aircraft during “simultaneous, high-tempo operations on two fronts”.
Meanwhile, Alenia Aermacchi chief executive Filippo Bagnato has provided a brief update on the status of contract discussions between the Italian and Kuwaiti governments about the latter’s planned acquisition of 28 Typhoons. A deal is expected to be signed “shortly – very shortly”, he says.
Source: Flight Daily News
