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The RAF's Typhoon aircraft, 'the future of air defence', has been flown in a 'Diamond Nine' close formation for the very first time.
The aircraft has been acquired by various countries around the world but the first nine aircraft demonstration of precision flying was conducted by an RAF Squadron over the North Sea, near RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
RAF Coningsby is the first RAF station to operate the Typhoon, and is home to the first 34 Typhoons to enter service, as well as the three Squadrons that are already stood up and operating the aircraft.
The 'Diamond Nine' formation came about as the station and crews prepared for this year's Remembrance Day and New Zealand Memorial flypasts on the 11 November 2006.
Three aircraft and a spare for the Remembrance Day flypast as well as four plus a spare for the New Zealand Memorial Flypast, formed up to create the first Typhoon Diamond Nine.
The pilots were from 3 (Fighter) Squadron and 29 (Reserve) Squadron. The other Squadron operating the Typhoon is 17 (Reserve) Squadron, the Operational Evaluation Unit who, tasked with bringing the Typhoon into service, are now learning what operational tactics to employ on the Typhoon.
The state of the art Typhoon has been built by a four-nation consortium of companies from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. Its combination of agility, performance stealth features and advanced avionics should make it one of the most capable fighter aircraft in the skies.
The Typhoon is a single seat, 'swing role' aircraft, which means it can operate as a fighter, conducting supersonic air combat, and also as a bomber and a ground attack aircraft. This later capability is currently being developed.
The first operational deployment for the aircraft will be as the Southern Quick Reaction Alert unit, expected in July 2007.
With an intimidating weapons capability and high altitude speeds reaching Mach 2 (1,480 mph), the Typhoon is a key part of the RAF's 21st century equipment.
Source - MoD
The aircraft has been acquired by various countries around the world but the first nine aircraft demonstration of precision flying was conducted by an RAF Squadron over the North Sea, near RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
RAF Coningsby is the first RAF station to operate the Typhoon, and is home to the first 34 Typhoons to enter service, as well as the three Squadrons that are already stood up and operating the aircraft.
The 'Diamond Nine' formation came about as the station and crews prepared for this year's Remembrance Day and New Zealand Memorial flypasts on the 11 November 2006.
Three aircraft and a spare for the Remembrance Day flypast as well as four plus a spare for the New Zealand Memorial Flypast, formed up to create the first Typhoon Diamond Nine.
The pilots were from 3 (Fighter) Squadron and 29 (Reserve) Squadron. The other Squadron operating the Typhoon is 17 (Reserve) Squadron, the Operational Evaluation Unit who, tasked with bringing the Typhoon into service, are now learning what operational tactics to employ on the Typhoon.
The state of the art Typhoon has been built by a four-nation consortium of companies from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. Its combination of agility, performance stealth features and advanced avionics should make it one of the most capable fighter aircraft in the skies.
The Typhoon is a single seat, 'swing role' aircraft, which means it can operate as a fighter, conducting supersonic air combat, and also as a bomber and a ground attack aircraft. This later capability is currently being developed.
The first operational deployment for the aircraft will be as the Southern Quick Reaction Alert unit, expected in July 2007.
With an intimidating weapons capability and high altitude speeds reaching Mach 2 (1,480 mph), the Typhoon is a key part of the RAF's 21st century equipment.
Source - MoD
