Typhoons Pave the Way

Typhoons Pave the Way

04 April 2013

RARE images showing the latest version of the RAF’s state-of-art Typhoon jet dropping an inert Paveway II bomb for the first time have been released.

The dramatic pictures show a Tranche 2 aircraft being put through its paces to make it combat ready by carrying out training sorties at the Cape Wrath ranges off the Scottish coast. The event also marks the first time that RAF Leuchars-based 6 Squadron has dropped a bomb since it was re-formed at three years ago as a frontline Typhoon unit.

Officer Commanding 6 Squadron, Wing Commander Mike Baulkwill said:
“The successful delivery of Paveway II from a Tranche 2 Typhoon is another step forward in the development of the platform’s multi-role combat capability. The last time 6 Squadron conducted air to surface weapons training would have been when the Squadron was flying Jaguars and given the air defence role of RAF Leuchars, I suspect that it has been a long time since squadron based there has delivered a bomb”
RAF Leuchars in Fife is primarily responsible for maintaining Quick Reaction Alert - providing crews and aircraft at high states of readiness 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to police UK airspace and to intercept unidentified aircraft.
The Paveway II bombing runs in Scotland were flown as part of an Operational Training Week for pilots to conduct multi-role training and for the Squadron as a whole to conduct readiness activity for operations. Former Tornado GR4 ace Flight Lieutenant Oli Fleming, who now flies Typhoons, was the first 6 Squadron pilot to drop a Paveway II.
He said: “From a pilot’s perspective, it is impressive how easy the systems are to use enabling you to drop an accurate bomb that strikes the target in a short amount of time. Dropping weapons from a Tranche 2 aircraft is a good step forward for the Typhoon Force and proves the jet’s multi-role capability.”
The Typhoon provides the RAF with a multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, from air policing, to peace support, through to high intensity conflict. It is currently employed on permanent operations defending the Falkland Islands and the UK from Quick Reaction Alert stations at RAF Leuchars and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The training week enables Squadron engineers and support staff to undertake training and practice operations with live and training weapons.
Senior Engineering Officer 6 Squadron, Squadron Leader Cameron Gibb said:
“The addition of air to surface weapons activity augments the well rehearsed air to air training we do in support of Quick Reaction Alert. Working under a more operational focus for a week or two at a time puts everyone in the right frame of mind so that when called upon to go on operations pilots, engineers and operational support staff are always ready.”