Typhoon Fighter Enters RAF Service
Wednesday July 11, 2007
Sky News
The new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter has finally entered service with the RAF.
Eurofighter Typhoons fly in diamond formation. The Royal Air Force will have 232 of them, more than any other air force.
Eurofighters: How many is each country having?
Britain - 232
Germany - 180
Italy - 121
Spain - 87
Saudi Arabia - 72
Austria - 15
Eurofighter Typhoons are now on standby at RAF Coningsby and will respond to aircraft acting suspiciously or illegally entering UK air space.
They will progressively replace Tornado F3s which have carried out the interceptor duty for years.
The fighter plane is already operational in the German, Italian and Spanish air forces.
However it will not be known as the Typhoon in Luftwaffe service as the RAF operated a ground attack plane called the Typhoon during WWII.
The modern-day Typhoon is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft with significant ground attack capabilities.
The aircraft is expected to lead European defence for at least the next 30 years.
However, the project has been criticised for being late and over budget.
The RAF says it is "the world's most advanced multi-role aircraft".
But America's leading tactical fighter plane, the F-22 Raptor, is seen by some military pilots as superior to the Typhoon.
Allies Britain and the US are working together on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will will be used by the militaries of both countries.
Britain and the US are currently working together to develop a third warplane - the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The UK is expected to buy versions of new F-35 fighters for the RAF and Royal Navy.
news.sky.com
Wednesday July 11, 2007
Sky News
The new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter has finally entered service with the RAF.
Eurofighter Typhoons fly in diamond formation. The Royal Air Force will have 232 of them, more than any other air force.
Eurofighters: How many is each country having?
Britain - 232
Germany - 180
Italy - 121
Spain - 87
Saudi Arabia - 72
Austria - 15
Eurofighter Typhoons are now on standby at RAF Coningsby and will respond to aircraft acting suspiciously or illegally entering UK air space.
They will progressively replace Tornado F3s which have carried out the interceptor duty for years.
The fighter plane is already operational in the German, Italian and Spanish air forces.
However it will not be known as the Typhoon in Luftwaffe service as the RAF operated a ground attack plane called the Typhoon during WWII.
The modern-day Typhoon is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft with significant ground attack capabilities.
The aircraft is expected to lead European defence for at least the next 30 years.
However, the project has been criticised for being late and over budget.
The RAF says it is "the world's most advanced multi-role aircraft".
But America's leading tactical fighter plane, the F-22 Raptor, is seen by some military pilots as superior to the Typhoon.
Allies Britain and the US are working together on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will will be used by the militaries of both countries.
Britain and the US are currently working together to develop a third warplane - the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The UK is expected to buy versions of new F-35 fighters for the RAF and Royal Navy.
news.sky.com