Successful Flight Trials of Eurofighter Typhoon with Brimstone Missile
The UK Eurofighter Typhoon has achieved a significant milestone by completing an initial series of flight trials with the Air-to-Surface MBDA Brimstone precision strike missile. This advancement is part of the ongoing integration efforts to enhance the aircraft’s capabilities.
These trials were conducted using the UK Typhoon Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 6. BAE Systems led the tests, collaborating closely with Eurofighter GmbH, MBDA, and the UK Ministry of Defence.
Taking place at BAE Systems’ facility in Warton, Lancashire, the trials aimed to establish effective airborne communication between the aircraft and the missile. This also helped gather crucial flight data to prepare for the upcoming initial firing trials slated for early 2017.
These flight trials represent a continuation of successful testing by the Eurofighter partner companies, which are focused on enhancing the Typhoon’s capabilities. Central to this program is the integration of advanced weaponry under the Phase 2 and Phase 3 Enhancement (P2E/P3E) packages, designed to provide extended range and precision strike capabilities.
Additionally, work is ongoing for the integration of the MBDA Storm Shadow missile, spearheaded by Leonardo. This integration builds on previous ground trials and successful releases from the Italian IPA2 in 2015, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the partner companies, particularly Leonardo and BAE Systems, to deliver the necessary capabilities in both the P2E and P3E programs.
Furthermore, additional firing trials using MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile have been completed. The sixth in a series of successful firings was conducted last month by aircrew from Leonardo using IPA2 at the UK’s Hebrides range. These trials are crucial for expanding the weapon’s clearance envelope and validating the modelling and simulation efforts undertaken by the Eurofighter Partner Companies, Selex and MBDA.
