The latest enhancements for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet have been successfully tested by UK Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots in flight trials conducted at BAE Systems’ Military Air & Information business in Warton, Lancashire.

An early version of the Phase 2 Enhancement (P2Ea) Typhoon was flown by pilots from the RAF’s Test and Evaluation Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby. The P2Ea package incorporates software and avionics improvements such as upgrades to the radar, defensive aids systems and targeting pods. These enhancements will not only increase threat awareness and pilot safety, but also improve Typhoon’s targeting capabilities. P2Ea forms part of the full Phase 2 Enhancement (P2E) package for Typhoon.

Testing of the package will be ongoing throughout 2016 with weapons integration tests also scheduled for this year.

Wing Commander Steven Berry, Officer Commanding 41(R) Test and Evaluation Sqn, said:

“The P2Ea upgrade brings some major capability changes and some welcome tweaks to the existing capabilities. The enhancements mean as an air-to-surface platform, Typhoon has the simplicity and flexibility in the design to be easily employed in close air support missions or more complex scenarios like convoy over-watch.

“By 2019, Typhoon will be filling a lot of roles including air defence of the UK, offensive and defensive counter-air, stand-off attack and close air support.  That’s a lot of skills for a front line squadron to master. Typhoon needs to deliver all of that capability in a simple, reliable cockpit.”

41(R) Sqn TES (Test and Evaluation Squadron) conducted two tests on an early version of the P2Ea – a typical air-to-air exercise and an air-to-surface exercise targeting simulated targets. The feedback from these tests has been assessed and will now be used to influence the final design.

Eurofighter press release, Read more..