Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF)

[Gabriele]

Why is it fitted with Sidewinder?

They are possibly test rounds filled with inward-looking cameras to keep an eye on the Brimstone launchers.

[The Armchair Soldier]

Caught this on Twitter just now:

[Ianmb17]

Nice photos from Riat

[Ianmb17]

Typhoon P3E weapons fit

http://www.baesystems.com/en/typhoon-p3 ... w-displays

[cyrilranch]

It missing a litening pod?..
So not quite the correct weapons fit.

[arfah]

It missing a litening pod?..
So not quite the correct weapons fit.

It's a publicity shot.

Combat jets armed with TV, Thermal Imaging Infra Red or Laser guided munitions can use other assets to designate targets, too.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Caught this on Twitter just now:

There's the strike packet without conformal tanks: we will make our intentions so loud and clear that we don't even need to do the strike...
or
you might have someone with the intention, and the kit, to spoil the party:

"“AWACS Killer” is the Novator K-100/KS-172. Novator is one of the leading Russian firms of both surface-launched and air-launched anti-aircraft missiles and manufacture the S-300 and S-400 systems [ mentioned in Rogoway’s article]. It is an adaptation of the 9M38 missile used on the “Buk” surface-to-air system - yes, the exact same missile that shot down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17. As the missile already posseses the immense range required, the initial developmental version (pictured above) is a fairly straightforward adaptation, simply having the mounting hardware to ensure it could be slung under the wing of a Flanker fighter and that its seeker can interface with the plane’s radar. Later pre-production versions (featured in the topshot) feature additional refinements, namely a slightly bigger fuselage of consistent diameter (likely for even greater fuel storage), improved mounting hardware and a larger boost rocket. It’s currently the largest air-to-air missile ever slung from an aircraft."

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/awacs-killers-1746639101

[Ron5]

Conformal tanks are drop tanks that don't drop.

Nothing magical about them. They don't remove the need for AWACS or aerial tanking.

AFAIK no Typhoon conformal tanks have been purchased by anyone. As always, glad to be proven wrong.

[downsizer]

Correct, no conformals in any service to date.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Correct, no conformals in any service to date.

Very correct indeed (money is tight; btw, for subsonic strike missions you can carry both CFTs and DROP tanks; pls read the last sentence in the Jane's quote, from 2014, below):

"BAE Systems is currently assessing the aerodynamic characteristics of conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, the company announced on 22 April.

Wind tunnel trials of the twin 'shoulder-mounted' blister tanks are now being held to accelerate the clearance processes for their eventual use on the Typhoon.

The CFTs, which can be fitted to any Tranche 2/3 aircraft, can carry 1,500 litres each to increase the Typhoon's combat radius by a factor of 25% to 1,500 n miles (2,778 km).

[...]
the commencement of MBDA Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 stand-off cruise missile tests in late 2013 have given added impetus to the concept.
Both of these missiles are large and 'boxy' weapon systems that impart a great deal of drag on the host aircraft, reducing range. This is compounded by the fact that their size means they can be carried only on the two underwing pylons that normally accommodate drop tanks.
These performance drawbacks of the Storm Shadow and Taurus should be more than offset by fitting the CFTs."

Yeah, no CFT tanks needed if you don't want to improve on the ancient Tornado's performance when (finally) replacing it... one can think that all future wars are about firing lots of SS's at mud huts - once the Americans have done their Day1 job and removed any Russian made Area Air Defence capabilities out of the way.

[Ron5]

The CFTs, which can be fitted to any Tranche 2/3 aircraft, can carry 1,500 litres each to increase the Typhoon's combat radius by a factor of 25% to 1,500 n miles (2,778 km).

So the Typhoons combat radius without any tanks is 1200 nautical miles ????

Very impressive.

[Timmymagic]

the commencement of MBDA Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 stand-off cruise missile tests in late 2013 have given added impetus to the concept.
Both of these missiles are large and 'boxy' weapon systems that impart a great deal of drag on the host aircraft, reducing range. This is compounded by the fact that their size means they can be carried only on the two underwing pylons that normally accommodate drop tanks.
These performance drawbacks of the Storm Shadow and Taurus should be more than offset by fitting the CFTs."

Yeah, no CFT tanks needed if you don't want to improve on the ancient Tornado's performance when (finally) replacing it... one can think that all future wars are about firing lots of SS's at mud huts - once the Americans have done their Day1 job and removed any Russian made Area Air Defence capabilities out of the way.

That's only if you believe the published range figures for Storm Shadow. The RAF's own website has had very different figures over the years, seemingly at random, with a maximum range of 350 miles quoted once (now they're quoting the laughable 155miles+ figure) . A lot will depend on the flight profile, but given that it is near enough the exact same size, weight, with arguably better aerodynamics, lift and more modern engine than Tomahawk you have to wonder if they might be telling a massive lie about the range, given that Tomahawk hits at least 900 miles.

Regarding the Novator K-100. It's just vapourware. And has been for 25 years. The Russians have been toting around mockups since the early 90's in a esperate attempt to get someone to bite, so far with no success. Principally because they're either developing their own missiles (China) or they've bought Russian before....(India). It ain't ever going to happen.

[marktigger]

http://www.airforce-technology.com/news ... et-4948173

[The Armchair Soldier]

Storm Shadow drop tests:

[arfah]

..............

[Ron5]

I wonder how many SS are still in stock. I seem to remember the numbers were reduced not long ago to save money. Ooops, I meant to increase MoD efficiency.

[downsizer]

Shouldn't be posting numbers like that fella. They aren't open source and are classed above OS.

[Timmymagic]

downsizer - In all truth those figures are all open source. The original buy has been mentioned in loads of places, including Hansard, as have the number to be mlu'd (granted neither are exact). After that it's just subtraction and a bit of common sense guesswork of numbers of rounds expended in training, MoD reported firings on ops have usually been pretty well publicised as well.

Truth is the numbers might be out a bit as we appear to have mislaid a large number.... could we not just fire them at something/anything?

[ArmChairCivvy]

could we not just fire them at something/anything?

ISIS?

[downsizer]

Call me old fashioned, but with much of SS being classed as secret I don't like seeing these numbers bandied around.

[RetroSicotte]

Let's just err on the safe side, OPSEC wise.

[Timmymagic]

ISIS?

We did fire 2 the other week. If we're getting rid of a load though, couldn't we have fired 20? Just to make absolutely sure....Plus another few just in case...

It is something that perplexes me though. If you look at the weapons used by Typhoon and Tornado in Iraq (and very occasionally Syria). The Typhoon is of course limited to PWIV. But Tornado seem to be dropping mainly PWIV (plus Brimstone and the very occasional EPWIII). We must have significant stocks of PWII though, which go out of service with Tornado. I know there will be valid ROE reasons why we use PWIV (smaller warhead, dual mode etc). But can't we use some of the PWII stocks up first? And replace with PWIV. From most of the strikes I've seen visibility doesn't seem to be an issue, or for that matter collateral damage.

[downsizer]

PWII is not supported nor trained for on Tornado any longer. It was only retained until typhoon could do PW4.

[Timmymagic]

Call me old fashioned, but with much of SS being classed as secret I don't like seeing these numbers bandied around.

Fair do's.

But numbers aside. Are we really going to scrap a large number of our most effective/expensive weapons? I could understand if they were a throwback to the Cold War, but we did procure them in the 'modern age' rather than the tail end of the Cold War. The strange thing is the French are reducing their stockpile as well.

[Timmymagic]

PWII is not supported nor trained for on Tornado any longer. It was only retained until typhoon could do PW4.

Bugger. I'd hope we sell them/gift them on to a friendly country who can make use of them (friendly as in European or Commonwealth, not Saudi).