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Eurofighter announces enhancements for Typhoon

Eurofighter, maker of the Typhoon jet fighter, says it has come up with a capability enhancement package that improves switching between air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon modes.

By Richard Tomkins

BERLIN, May 21 (UPI) -- Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH has announced a capability enhancement package for its Typhoon combat plane, flown or ordered by seven countries.

The package was announced Wednesday at the 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show by Paul Smith, a Eurofighter capability manager and former British Royal Air Force pilot.

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"What we are showcasing at ILA here in Germany represents a paradigm shift in the capability of the Eurofighter Typhoon as a series of major enhancements are introduced to our customers," he said.

The first phase enhancement package enhances the fighter's air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons capabilities for seamless switching between the two operational modes. It also improves human-machine interface, he said.

The enhancements incorporate lessons-learned during the aircraft's operations during NATO's aircraft deployment over Libya to help depose the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

"This package also paves the way for the Eurofighter to deploy deep strike stand-off weapons that can target high-value, highly protected surface targets," Smith said. "We are already deep into the integration and flight test of the Storm Shadow stand-off weapon.

"Storm Shadow has a proven combat record of penetrating the most highly defended target areas. The stealth is in the weapon; minimizing the risk to pilot and aircraft."

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Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile.

The company is also integrating the air-to-air missile, BVRAAM.

Other enhancements include a suite of capability upgrades for Typhoon's defensive aids sub-system and interoperability improvements.

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