Kuwait To Sign Deal for 28 Eurofighters

Kuwait is expected to sign a deal to buy 28 Eurofighter aircraft on Jan. 31, acording to an Italian Ministry of Defense source.
Italy, which is one of the four industrial partners on the Eurofighter program alongside the UK, Spain and Germany, has taken the lead in marketing the aircraft to Kuwait.
Two senior Kuwaiti Military officials confirmed on Wednesday that the Minister of Defense Khaled al-Jarrah al-Sabah will sign the Eurofighter contract on Sunday.
The decision came after repeated US delays regarding the acquisition of a new fleet of Boeing F-18 Super Hornets
"We were trying to acquire the F-18 Super Hornets and replace the existing fleet of F-18s with Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons," he said. "However, we cannot wait for the American approval and need to update our Air Force now."
A second official stated that a meeting was held with Italian Air Force officials in Turin in mid-November.
"We have discussed the Eurofighter deal, which was expected to be finalized in Kuwait in December but was delayed due to problems on the pilot training," he said.
"Our Air Force wanted to send the pilots for training in the United Kingdom, not Italy, due to the language barriers; however the deal was finalized after there was an agreement on sending them to train in Italy," he added.
"The training program is expected not to take less than 18 months," he said.
Kuwait has agreed to buy 22 single-seat and six twin-seat Typhoons in a government-to-government agreement.
Industry sources have said the deal, which could be worth up to €8 billion (US $8.7 billion), could see the Kuwaitis become the first export customer for the active electronically scanned array radar being developed for the jet.
The aircraft are expected to be new-build, third tranche, swing-role versions of the fighter, with deliveries starting in 2019 and possibly covering munitions such as the Storm Shadow and Meteor.
defensenews

Turkey Receives Last Upgraded F-16

The Turkish Air Force received the last of a batch of F-16 fighter jets which underwent a comprehensive upgrade program.
The upgrade program substantially boosts Turkey's air combat power.
In 2011, the Turkish and US governments signed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) for the modernization of 117 Turkish Air Force F-16s to a common avionics configuration.
The upgrade created a common avionics configuration for the service's fleet of F-16 Block 40 and 50 aircraft. Systems integrated on Turkey's upgraded F-16s include:

• The AN/APG-69(V)9 radar installed on new F-16 Advanced Block 50/52 aircraft
• Color cockpit displays
• The Modular Mission Computer and new avionics processors
• The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
• The Link 16 datalink
• New identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) transponders
• AN/AVS-9 night-vision goggles
• Upgraded navigation systems; and BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-178(V)5+ electronic-warfare (EW) system, mounted internally, with radar-warning and jamming capabilities for aircraft self-protection

The aircraft were also modified to accept new missile systems of unspecified types; some potential candidates include the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and MBDA Meteor.
The deal was conducted under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with Lockheed Martin as principle contractor, although the actual modification of the aircraft was performed by TAI.
defensenews

Saudi Arabia bought MBDA's Meteor air-to-air missiles for its Typhoon fighter aircraft

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and MBDA have signed the first export contract of the Meteor active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
The Meteor missiles will be fitted on the 24 Eurofighter Typhoon already delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force.
airrecognition

Eurofighter Typhoon completes first live firings of Meteor missile

BAE Systems has completed the first in a series of live firings of the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile from Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Hebrides firing range in the UK.
Supported by MBDA, Selex, Qinetiq and the MoD, the trials demonstrate the effective operation of the Meteor missile with Typhoon, while expanding the jettison envelope by conducting firings at different altitudes and speeds.
The trials also evaluate the interface of Meteor with the Typhoon weapon system for both pre-launch priming and post-launch datalink functions between the missile and the radar.
airforce-technology

Eurofighter launches new Typhoon enhancement package

Eurofighter has rolled out a major capability enhancement package for its Typhoon at the ongoing 2014 ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany.
The package incorporates lessons learned during the operations in Libya, and are designed to significantly enhance the air-surface capabilities and completely revise the human machine interface for multirole operations.
The enhancements are also expected to enable the pilot to seamlessly transition between air-to-air and air-to-ground modes.
Phase 1 Enhancements (P1Eb) package is a significant advancement for the programme, and allows Typhoon to realise both its air-to-air and air-to-ground capability to full effect.
This package also paves the way for the Eurofighter to deploy deep strike stand-off weapons that can target high-value highly protected surface targets. The company is currently conducting the integration and flight test of the Storm Shadow missile.
The package also integrates the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), which has higher average speed than conventional missiles, and when combined with Typhoons' kinetics, is claimed to deliver a 'no escape zone' greater than three times that of comparable weaponry.
The package also includes a suite of capability upgrades for the aircraft's defensive aids sub system (DASS), and the latest interoperability updates for its multifunction and distribution systems (MIDS).
airforce-technology

Saab to integrate Meteor on Gripen E

Saab has received an order from Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the integration of the weapon system Meteor on Gripen E.
The received order is an addition to the agreement with FMV, announced on 15 February 2013, which includes the development and modification of Gripen E for Sweden during the period 2013-2026.
Meteor is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed to enable engagement of airborne targets at long distances. The missile is the result of a European collaborative project involving Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Great Britain. At the end of June 2013 Saab in cooperation with FMV conducted the first test firing of the serial production configuration of Meteor. Gripen was thereby the first combat fighter system in the world with the capability to fire this version of Meteor that has been developed for Gripen, Eurofigther and Rafale.
saabgroup

Eurofighter Aims for AESA Radar Contract by Mid-2014

Eurofighter is targeting the middle of 2014 to secure a deal with the fast jet’s European partner nations to develop an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar for the Typhoon.
The deal will involve the development of a production-standard AESA radar by the Selex ES-led Euroradar consortium.
A mid-year contract signing means it would be close to a two-year wait since the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) , which manages the program on behalf of the British, German, Italian and Spanish governments, issued Euroradar a request for proposals to develop the AESA system.
The drawn-out effort to make a production-standard AESA radar available to the Typhoon partners and export customers has drawn criticism from many quarters .
The slow pace of capability improvement approvals on Typhoon is partly responsible for a determination by industry and partner government to change the construct of Eurofighter and possibly NETMA to make the approval process more agile as the emphasis of the program begins to move away from production of aircraft for the European partners toward meeting export customers’ requirements.
Typhoon has already been sold to Austria, Oman and Saudi Arabia; the aircraft is involved in export competitions in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Kuwait.
Development work on the Selex radar, known as Captor-E, has been continuing, partly funded by industry. Typhoon test aircraft IPA7 is almost ready to start shakeout flights following modifications to make it capable of testing an AESA radar.
The first flight is expected before the end of the year, after which the machine will be fitted out with a development standard radar in the first quarter of next year.
Typhoon’s strike weapons capabilities are on track to allow flight test campaigns with Storm Shadow and Taurus cruise missiles to get underway.
In the case of Storm Shadow, Alenia Aermacchi is expected to flight test the weapon at the Decimomannu air base in Sardinia imminently; a similar campaign on the Taurus is scheduled to get underway in December.
Eurofighter’s capability full integration clearance for Storm Shadow is planned for 2015.
The weapon is already used by the Saudis, British and Italians on Tornado strike aircraft.
Integration work on the MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air weapon is already going full tilt.
The latest standard of Typhoons, known as Tranche 3, now starting to come off the assembly lines in all four European partner nations, are being fitted for but not with conformal fuel tanks.
The first Tranche 3 aircraft, a Royal Air Force machine, is due to fly by the end of the year.
defensenews

Increased operational capabilities for Eurofighter Typhoon

Cassidian-EADS, has successfully finalized its flight testing of the Eurofighter Typhoon Phase 1 Enhancements (P1E) programme. After an intensive test programme of this First Batch of Enhancements on Instrumented Production Aircraft 4 and 7, this enhancement is confirmed to deliver a robust simultaneous multi-/swing-role capability to the Nations' Air Forces. It will be ready for the customers by the end of 2013.
The testing took place at Cassidian´s Military Air Systems Centers in Manching/Germany and Getafe/Spain, in cooperation with BAE Systems and Alenia Aermacchi.
P1E implements full Air-to-Surface capability on Eurofighter Typhoon - including Laser Designator Pod -, full smart bomb integration, modern secure Identification Friend or Foe (Mode 5), improved Radios and Direct Voice Input, Air-to-Surface Helmet Mounted Sight System, improved Air-to-Air capabilities including digital integration of Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles and updated MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) Datalink functionalities for enhanced interoperability with Coalition Forces.
The Enhancements cover the design, development, qualification and clearance of the first major upgrade after the Main Development Contract. It is a major milestone in the development of Eurofighter Typhoon giving seamless air-to-ground integration to the weapon system and forming the baseline for further enhancements such as AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and Meteor missile.
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Gripen on target with Meteor missile firings

MBDA's Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile is on target to enter use with the Swedish air force from 2014, following a dual firing performed using a Saab Gripen test aircraft.
Conducted over the Vidsel range in late June, the test event involved releasing two production-configuration weapons against remote targets. The firings "demonstrated separation from the aircraft and the [data] link function between the aircraft and missile, as well as the missile's ability to lock in on the target", says Saab.
Sweden's Gripen C/Ds will be the first European fighters to fly with the Meteor, with the weapon also to be fielded with French air force and navy Dassault Rafales and Eurofighters from the air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. All six partner nations are now under contract to acquire production rounds, with Germany having cleared its delayed acquisition process in late May.
A Gripen test aircraft had previously been used during MBDA's development firing campaign for the Meteor.
flightglobal

EUROFIGHTER SIGNS CONTRACT FOR METEOR INTEGRATION

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH has signed a weapon system integration contract with NETMA, the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, to facilitate and secure integration of MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range Missile system.
The contract was signed at the Paris Air Show 2013 in Le Bourget.
eurofighter

Rafale to expand Meteor missile testing

Fresh separation trials involving the Dassault Rafale and MBDA's Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile are due to be performed in late May, as the type edges closer towards eventual service introduction with the French armed forces.
To be performed from the Cazaux flight test centre of France's DGA defence procurement agency over water using instrumented rounds without warheads, the releases will follow two such tests performed from the site in October 2012. Two more of the weapons are also due to be released from the Rafale before the end of 2013, according to a DGA programme official.

flightglobal

First launch of Meteor from Eurofighter

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the Future Enhancements Flight Test Programme.

baesystems

Eurofighter Typhoon Fires First Meteor Missile

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the Future Enhancements Flight Test Program.
The missile was eject launched from a rear fuselage missile station, which on Eurofighter Typhoon is semi-conformal for aircraft drag and radar signature reduction. The missile motor was fired, providing data that will allow the missile launch envelope to be expanded. This builds on an earlier series of flight trials, carried out by ourselves on behalf of the Eurofighter program, where unpowered missiles were used to demonstrate safe separation on the missile.

defencetalk

Eurofighter Typhoon releases first Meteor missile

A Eurofighter combat aircraft has released an MBDA Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile for the first time, with the milestone having been achieved over a UK test range on 4 December.

Performed by a BAE Systems test pilot using the UK's Typhoon Instrumented Production Aircraft 1, the event included ejecting a telemetry-equipped Meteor test round from a rear-fuselage missile station over the Qinetiq firing range in Aberporth, west Wales.

flightglobal

Rafale clears Meteor safe separation test

France's CEV flight test centre has completed two successful releases of the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile from a Dassault Rafale, moving the nation a step closer to fielding the weapon.

flightglobal

AESA Ready, Rafale Tests Meteor BVRAAM

On October 4 and 10, a Dassault Rafale (tail number B301), successfully tested two MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles. The aircraft was operating from the Cazaux DGA Flight Test Center in South-Western France.

livefist

Germany on target to sign Meteor missile deal

Germany should approve a production contract for the Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) before year-end, with prime contractor MBDA expecting the topic to be discussed by the nation's budget committees.

learn more

MBDA waits on German Meteor contract

MBDA is firing up its efforts to supply Germany with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, with the nation being the only one of six programme partners yet to sign a production contract. To arm Eurofighter combat aircraft for Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, plus the Dassault Rafale for France and Sweden's Saab Gripen from later this decade, Meteor is intended to be a European successor to Raytheon's AIM-120 AMRAAM. Earlier this year, MBDA announced completion of development work on the new air superiority weapon, with first production deliveries to be made to the UK late this year. With a contract signature with Berlin expected before year-end, MBDA will be talking up the design's performance during a successful development and test campaign led by the UK. A key element of the Meteor is its scramjet engine, which was developed by Germany's Bayern-Chemie. MBDA's outside exhibit is dominated by a launcher for the MEADS air defence system, for which development activities will conclude in 2014. learn more

Francia adquiere 200 misiles Meteor/ France Purchases 200 Meteor Missiles

Francia ha realizado un pedido por 200 misiles Meteor.
Los primeros misiles serán entregados en 2018, para ser integrados posteriormente en el Rafale.
defensenews
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France has ordered a batch of Meteor missiles for an undisclosed amount.
The first Meteors will be delivered to the French military in 2018. The missile will undergo integration and certification on the Rafale fighter jet in the intervening period.
defensenews

El Gripen realiza dispara del misil Meteor

La prueba ha sido realizada por SAAB en el polígono de pruebas de Vidsel
cavok