The UK's Royal Air Force needs its Eurofighter Typhoons to have "as much air-to-ground capability as possible, as early as possible" in order to replace its ageing Jaguar fighter-bombers, due to leave service in November 2008, according to RAF sources.
Incorporation of air-to-surface weapons into Typhoon was not originally scheduled until mid-2008, with the arrival of EOC 1 (Enhanced Operational Capability Standard 1) aircraft, although the RAF's planning is believed to have assumed that Typhoon would have a 'significant' air-to-ground capability by 2007 to allow the Jaguar to be replaced.
At the Typhoon's Operational Employment Date of 1 January 2006, the aircraft was expected to be the RAF's "Air Defence Fighter of choice for deployed operations, able to operate in four-ship formations with active BVR AAMs and ASRAAMs, and to have an air defence capability that was at least equivalent to that offered by the Tornado F.Mk 3," according to the RAF's specification.
This was an exceptionally ambitious target, since today's JTIDS-equipped Tornado F.Mk 3 is an extremely capable air defence aircraft, and one that will be 'hard to beat' in many respects.
Role
But in the air-to-ground role there was no similar requirement for Typhoon to offer a capability at least equivalent to that offered by the Jaguar GR.Mk 3.
Indeed it was openly acknowledged that the Typhoon's initial attack capabilities would be inferior in some respects.
It is understood that this initial capability was to have been restricted to the Paveway IV (with GPS guidance only), and that Typhoon would only be equipped with smart weapons, not dumb or practice bombs.
The latest proposal by industry is believed to offer integration of Paveway II and a laser designator pod for the last aircraft in Batch 2, Tranche 1, entering service in mid-2006.
By Jon Lake
Source: Flight Daily News
