Eurofighter program official says new upgrades are 'well advanced'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Paul Smith, Eurofighter Typhoon's program capability manager, announced work on integrating new capabilities for the jet is "well advanced."

Smith, a former Royal Air Force pilot and Fighter Weapons School instructor, made the announcement at the Eurofighter briefing at the Dubai Air Show. According to Smith, the Eurofighter Typhoon program is experiencing one of the busiest flight test periods in the program's history.

"Throughout 2015 we have been conducting a series of flight tests with our Instrumented Production Aircraft working on the integration of major new weapon-systems capability with a particular focus on both Storm Shadow and Meteor missiles," Smith explained. "At the same time, the Eurofighter continues to deliver effective and proven air power in both the Middle East and the Baltic States."

The Eurofighter is currently in flight testing for the Phase 2 Enhancement Capability Update. In addition to testing the jet's capabilities with new weapons, the program introduces the Eurofighter to radar enhancements such as the defensive aids sub-system to improve the jet's versatility across mission platforms in addition to the pilot's situational awareness.

The enhancements for this phase are scheduled to be delivered in increments between 2015 and 2017. The next phase will focus on precision-guided air-to-surface weapons, and the engagement of fast-moving targets.

"Bring all these elements together, and it becomes clear why we talk about Eurofighter Typhoon operators having the 'Combat Edge,'" Smith added.