Royal Air Force Typhoon Dropped its First in-Service Bomb

Released on Wednesday, November 21, 2007

The RAF's newest and most versatile multi-role fighter, the Eurofighter Typhoon, has dropped its first in-service bomb scoring a direct hit on a target at sea off the Welsh coast.

The weapon, a 1,000lb (454kg) Paveway 2 laser guided bomb (LGB) was dropped by a Typhoon of No 11 Squadron who are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The RAF Typhoon carried out the trial alongside a BAE Systems twin-seat Typhoon carrying a Rafael Litening lll laser pod which illuminated the target. The laser guided the Paveway 2 dropped by the RAF Typhoon straight to the target.

The pilot of the BAE Systems aircraft who was from the Operational Evaluation Unit, 17 (Reserve) Squadron, also based at RAF Coningsby, said:

"The drop ran very smoothly and is testament to the exceptional performance of the aircraft even at this early stage of multi-role development."

Typhoon Project Team Leader, Air Commodore Chris Bushell, added:

"This successful weapons trial is an important step on the route towards achieving multi-role capability for Typhoon. The result of this trial has emphasised the effectiveness that this will add to the Typhoon fleet and that delivery of the future operational multi-role aircraft is on track."

Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said:

"Typhoon is an exceptional fighter jet; we have already seen it perform in its air-to-air role in June this year when it defended UK airspace.

"The first RAF bomb drop is a significant step towards the Typhoon being ready for operational use."

Trials are continuing to perfect its bomb-dropping techniques with a view to achieving an initial air-to-ground attack capability by the summer of 2008. This follows on from the aircraft being declared operational in the air-to-air role, defending UK air space from aerial threats, on 29 June this year.