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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Eurofighter 'fully combat ready' | Eurofighter 'fully combat ready' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The RAF is to declare the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft capable of carrying out ground attacks, as well as its original air defence role. | The RAF is to declare the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft capable of carrying out ground attacks, as well as its original air defence role. |
| The hi-tech fighter jets costing £67m each have been upgraded and training exercises have been taking place. | The hi-tech fighter jets costing £67m each have been upgraded and training exercises have been taking place. |
| Critics say the Typhoon is an outdated Cold War weapon, unsuitable for modern wars against terrorists and insurgents. | Critics say the Typhoon is an outdated Cold War weapon, unsuitable for modern wars against terrorists and insurgents. |
| But the RAF says the upgrade means the fighter will be able to operate more | |
| effectively in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the need for a operationally flexible aircraft has been highlighted by current operations where battles are fought against a mobile enemy without an air force. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the need for a operationally flexible aircraft has been highlighted by current operations where battles are fought against a mobile enemy without an air force. |
| This is not yet Afghanistan - it's the Nevada desert and an excercise called Green Flag West Last test for the Typhoon | This is not yet Afghanistan - it's the Nevada desert and an excercise called Green Flag West Last test for the Typhoon |
| The new equipment fitted to the Typhoon includes a laser designator pod which enables data to be downloaded to laptop style devices held by forward air controllers on the ground. | |
| By seeing exactly what is coming through the Typhoon's pod the controllers can guide a pilot onto the target, which can then be destroyed with pinpoint accuracy. | By seeing exactly what is coming through the Typhoon's pod the controllers can guide a pilot onto the target, which can then be destroyed with pinpoint accuracy. |
| The RAF describes the improved Typhoon as "a new generation of aircraft" with technology that increases the amount of information available to the pilot. | The RAF describes the improved Typhoon as "a new generation of aircraft" with technology that increases the amount of information available to the pilot. |
| Commander-in-Chief of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said: "The declaration of Typhoon being multi-role capable is a truly significant step in the development of this remarkable aircraft. | Commander-in-Chief of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said: "The declaration of Typhoon being multi-role capable is a truly significant step in the development of this remarkable aircraft. |
| 'Agile, adaptable, capable' | |
| "This latest capability upgrade gives the Royal Air Force the most operationally flexible aircraft it has ever had." | "This latest capability upgrade gives the Royal Air Force the most operationally flexible aircraft it has ever had." |
| Training exercises have been taking place in the US from the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. | Training exercises have been taking place in the US from the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. |
| Speaking from Nellis, Group Captain Stuart Atha, Station Commander of RAF Coningsby, where the planes are based, said: "What we have in Typhoon is a world-beating aircraft. | Speaking from Nellis, Group Captain Stuart Atha, Station Commander of RAF Coningsby, where the planes are based, said: "What we have in Typhoon is a world-beating aircraft. |
| "The mantra in the RAF is, 'agile, adaptable and capable' and that is precisely what this aircraft is." | "The mantra in the RAF is, 'agile, adaptable and capable' and that is precisely what this aircraft is." |
| The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. | The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. |
| And anyone who believes that we will only ever fight insurgents is wrong - there is always the risk that one day we will face a sophisticated enemy again Paul Beaver | |
| So far, nearly 140 have been built by a consortium of European firms - EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems - although there have been international rows over the project, with France pulling out to develop its own aircraft. | So far, nearly 140 have been built by a consortium of European firms - EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems - although there have been international rows over the project, with France pulling out to develop its own aircraft. |
| The aircraft were originally conceived during the 1970s to combat fast and sophisticated Soviet fighter jets. | The aircraft were originally conceived during the 1970s to combat fast and sophisticated Soviet fighter jets. |
| Since then the enemy has changed - and with Britain's armed forces increasingly engaged in a ground-based counter-insurgency role, some critics have questioned the Typhoon's relevance to modern warfare. | Since then the enemy has changed - and with Britain's armed forces increasingly engaged in a ground-based counter-insurgency role, some critics have questioned the Typhoon's relevance to modern warfare. |
| Independent defence expert Paul Beaver believes that that aircraft is "much maligned". | Independent defence expert Paul Beaver believes that that aircraft is "much maligned". |
| He said: "The new equipment, such as laser-guided bombs used with satellite technology, makes the Typhoon an effective ground-attack aircraft, particularly when used in conjunction with helicopters. | He said: "The new equipment, such as laser-guided bombs used with satellite technology, makes the Typhoon an effective ground-attack aircraft, particularly when used in conjunction with helicopters. |
| "And anyone who believes that we will only ever fight insurgents is wrong - there is always the risk that one day we will face a sophisticated enemy again." | "And anyone who believes that we will only ever fight insurgents is wrong - there is always the risk that one day we will face a sophisticated enemy again." |