VIDEO: Take-off for Typhoon upgrade

The first of a new standard of Typhoon has taken to the skies.
Tranche 3 Typhoon first flightTranche 3 Typhoon first flight
Tranche 3 Typhoon first flight

The latest Typhoon, known as a Tranche 3, represents a major stepping stone in the evolution of one of the world’s leading combat aircraft.

The Tranche 3 standard embodies a number of under the skin changes that effectively future-proof the aircraft and make it more attractive to export customers.

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Taken together there have been 100s of modifications, changes and additions which effectively means Typhoon has now taken a massive step forward. Mark Kane, BAE Systems Managing Director - Combat Air said: “For casual observers the aircraft is little changed from its sleek predecessor but it has a number of provisions that will allow it to take on additional capability in the future. One of the few visual clues is a number of small panels on the fuselage which are there to accommodate the fitting of conformal fuel tanks.

Tranche 3 Typhoon first flightTranche 3 Typhoon first flight
Tranche 3 Typhoon first flight

“Once fitted, these would give the aircraft greater range and free up positions under the aircraft for larger or additional weapons. At the nose a new internal structure has been built and work has been carried out on power, cooling and electronics so that a new E-Scan radar could easily be accommodated.”

British Single Seat aircraft no.116 took to the skies for the first time with pilot Nat Makepeace in the cockpit.

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