BAE SYSTEMS Bids Farewell To 17 (R) Sqn As They Head For New Home At RAF Coningsby
01 Apr 2005
The first Royal Air Force Typhoon squadron left BAE Systems Warton site today, bound for RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, their first RAF base in the UK.
The squadron, which has been based at Warton for the past fifteen months under the 'Case White' Entry Into Service programme, is responsible for the Operational Test and Evaluation of the RAF's newest combat aircraft. 17 Sqn is led by Wg Cdr Jon Hitchcock, who flew the aircraft this morning - which also happens to be the first production standard single-seat aircraft to be delivered to the RAF.
Case White, the partnered programme which sees Typhoon delivered to the RAF at Warton in order to ease the aircraft's entry to service, has been a resounding success. The first squadron are heading off to Coningsby on schedule, and Typhoon has outperformed the highest expectations of reliability and serviceability, with the team outflying even the stretch target by as much as 15%, and more than 1300 flying hours completed.
The Case White programme continues, with 29 Sqn due to move to Coningsby in the summer. Further pilots will begin flying training next week, and RAF ground crew will progressively take over operations in preparation for the move.
Wg Cdr Hitchcock said:
"Bringing Typhoon into service in a partnered programme like Case White has been really beneficial, allowing us to build up knowledge and experience while taking advantage of the infrastructure and expertise BAE Systems has built up in developing the aircraft. But it will be a tremendous feeling for us all on 17 Sqn when we take this aircraft - and I'm very proud to be flying our first single seat today - to RAF Coningsby, where it belongs."
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of over 13 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
About Typhoon:
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, developed by the leading aerospace companies, Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and EADS, of the four partner countries, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Eurofighter Typhoon features unrivalled technology, designed for the defence needs of the 21st Century.
Agile and highly maneuverable, the twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon is designed to operate from hastily prepared bases and small runways for worldwide operations. It is equipped with an advanced multi-mode radar and an extensive range of sensors and electronic countermeasures.
The aircraft's ability to gain air superiority beyond visual range (BVR) and in close combat, and at the same time deliver high sortie rates against air, naval and ground targets in all weathers with a variety of weapons, demands close attention to pilot workload. In Eurofighter the pilot flies through use of a computerised flight control system, which offers full carefree handling.
A strong emphasis has been placed on reducing cost of ownership in addition to outstanding performance and flight safety. Reliability, low cost of maintenance and a sophisticated on-board testing system ensure ease of day to day management and through life costs. Eurofighter Typhoon is less expensive to run than the generation of aircraft it is designed to replace.
The Eurofighter partner nations will take delivery of 620 aircraft: 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, 87 for Spain and 232 for the United Kingdom. Almost 40 aircraft have been delivered and are in service around Europe
Austria recently confirmed its contract for the purchase of 18 aircraft, and Eurofighter Typhoon has also been selected by Greece to meet its requirements for a future fighter. The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence has agreed an industrial participation programme with Eurofighter for the future enhancement of the weapon system, and Singapore has selected Eurofighter Typhoon for the final phase of its Next Generation Fighter competition.
For further information, please contact:
For further information please contact:
Emma Wilkins, Communications Manager (Typhoon), Warton, Lancs, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 852714 Mob +44 7736 810609
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