New missiles for Typhoon fighters flight tested

HALLBERGMOOS, Germany, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Eurofighter reports new flight trials of Storm Shadow and Meteor missiles by Typhoon aircraft as part of a weapons capability upgrade program.

Both tests were conducted at a British Ministry of Defense range in Scotland using Italian-instrumented planes.

In the first operational release test, the Storm Shadow deep-strike missile was fired as part of a program to expand the safe weapon trajectory data envelope of the missile.

The test was led by Finmeccanica – Aircraft Division, with the support of Eurofighter, BAE Systems, Airbus Defense and Space, and missile-maker MBDA.

The Meteor beyond-visual range, air-to air weapon was fired by a second typhoon.

The Meteor test was led by BAE Systems with support from MBDA, Selex, QinetiQ, the U.K. Ministry of Defense and Eurofighter teams.

"The integration of the [Storm Shadow] weapon further enhances Typhoon's potent multi-role and swing-role capabilities, adding new capability to strike in day or night, in all-weather conditions," said Enrico Scarabotto, the Italian chief test pilot.

"Storm Shadow adds attack stand-off capability to Typhoon, which now really accomplishes every possible role in the combat scenario."

"These latest Meteor firing trials are another step forward in the integration of the missile onto the Typhoon aircraft, demonstrating they can operate safely, accurately and effectively," added Steve Greenbank, Director of Aircraft Programs for Military Air & Information, BAE Systems.

The Typhoon is a twin-engine multirole fighter built by a consortium of companies through the joint holding company, Eurofighter GmbH. It has a speed of 1,150 miles per hour. The aircraft is flown by Austria, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Other nations have ordered the aircraft.