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Home » Blog » Defence and Security
20 Jun 2014| Posted by Morris | In Defence and Security
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) – UK has awarded GBP5 million (USD8.5 million) study contract to BAE Systems to classify integrating the MBDA Brimstone missile system onto the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.
As per the announcement made on 19 June, the contract not only facilitates at equipping the Typhoon with the Brimstone air-to-surface missile by 2018, but with testing a common launcher access which could also be used for other multiple ammunition stores such as SPEAR 3.
At BAE Systems’ facility in Warton, the Wind tunnel tests of the Typhoon-Brimstone combination are already taking place.
This first study contract is part of a broader ammunition upgrade package that is aimed on delivering a full air-to-ground proficiency for the Typhoon in time for the retirement of the Panavia Tornado GR.4 from UK Royal Air Force (RAF) service in 2019.
The Eurofighter consortium along with Brimstone is presently working in order to integrate the MBDA Shadow and Taurus cruise missiles to facilitate the Typhoon stand-off strike proficiency. The anti-shipping missiles, such as Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon, and MBDA Italy Marte are also being treated to give the Typhoon maritime strike proficiency, as per the Airbus Defense and Space officials.
Work is also ongoing to attach the MBDA Meteor ahead visual range air-to-air missile, as the part of all ammunition systems integration process. Brimstone is described as being a ‘game changer’ by the Eurofighter officials. Brimstone is a low-yield munition developed to deduct the risks of collateral damage, already fielded on the Tornado in Afghanistan and Libya.
According to Russ Martin, MBDA weapons integration capability military adviser – Using Brimstone is now much preferred instead of a gun by the RAF crews, as it gives a guarantee kill in just one-shot pass, noted at the recent ILA Berlin Airshow in May. UK government ministers would be bolstered when told the Brimstone would be the weapon used to strike a specific target, during Operation ‘Ellamy” in 2011, Libya.
The Brimstone has an advantage against fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) and is being used to hit land targets. The Eurofighter officials showed video footage of Typhoons continuously shooting up to six Brimstone missiles against FIAC’s during the trails at the ILA event.
The Typhoon will be capable to carry 12 Brimstones on four launcher packs of three missiles each, when completely integrated.
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