Tests of Typhoon launching laser guided bomb and F-35 crew escape system completed
The Typhoon trials aircraft, BT005, flown by Flt Lt Dave Bowlzer from 17 Squadron and BAE Systems test pilot Paul Stone, completed the first fully laser guided weapon release using the Litening III laser designator pod (LDP). The weapon dropped was an Enhanced Paveway II which was successfully guided onto the target to achieve the direct hit. This live weapon release follows a series of trial sorties with the LDP and dummy weapons to prove the mission and avionics systems. This test puts the pragram some way ahead of the planned schedule to deliver a full precision guided air to surface capability in advance of Typhoon’s expected Operational Employment date in mid 2008.
Typhoon’s helmet, known as Head Equipment Assembly (HEA), is currently also undergoing its latest development trials. The current trials are focusing on the capability of the helmet system to display flight reference information together with various aircraft weapons and sensor data. The integration of the Night Vision Enhancement (NVE) devices is also being tested to prove their limitations and acceptability for operations.
This set of trials is part of the ongoing development work that will eventually include integrated Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection in addition to the NVE capability. Recent tests with pilots in a ground-based simulator wearing the full NBC flying kit have shown very promising results.
Meanwhile, BAE Systems has completed Design Verification Testing for the crew escape system for the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 Lighting II.
This series of tests has provided important risk reduction on the escape system to make sure F-35 pilots can eject safely.
In addition, electrical power has been applied to the first Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 Lightning II for the first time, initiating a series of ground tests that will lead to the inaugural flight of the STOVL aircraft next spring.
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