By KUNA,
London : The British Royal Air Force (RAF) was Tuesday declaring the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft capable of carrying out ground attacks, as well as its original air defence role, it was announced here.
The hi-tech fighter jets costing 67 million pounds each have been upgraded and training exercises have been taking place, the RAF said.
Critics have said the Typhoon is an outdated Cold War weapon, unsuitable for modern wars against terrorists and insurgents, but the RAF said the upgrade means the fighter will be able to operate more effectively in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Experts said the need for a operationally flexible aircraft has been highlighted by current operations where battles are fought against a mobile enemy without an air force.
The new equipment fitted to the Typhoon includes a laser designator pod which enables data to be downloaded to laptop style devices held by forward air controllers on the ground.
By seeing exactly what is coming through the Typhoon’s pod the controllers can guide a pilot onto the target, which can then be destroyed with pinpoint accuracy. The RAF has described the improved Typhoon as “a new generation of aircraft” with technology that increases the amount of information available to the pilot. Commander-in-Chief of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said “The declaration of Typhoon being multi-role capable is a truly significant step in the development of this remarkable aircraft.” “This latest capability upgrade gives the Royal Air Force the most operationally flexible aircraft it has ever had,” he added.
Training exercises have been taking place in the US from the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the RAF added.
So far, nearly 140 Typhoons have been built by a consortium of European firms, “EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems, although there have been international rows over the project, with France pulling out to develop its own aircraft.
The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds.