The Eurofighter Typhoon will be making a rare demonstration of its unrivaled agility and engine power with a full weapon load air display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) from the 15th to 17th July at RAF Fairford. BAE Systems Chief Test Pilot for Combat Air, Mark Bowman, will fly a Warton based development aircraft (IPA 5) on each day of the show and a full scale replica of the aircraft, including full weapon display, will be available for general public access.
In addition, the RAF will have a Typhoon on display in the static aircraft park.
IPA 5 will fly in a swing-role configuration, including four Paveway II laser guided bombs, two 1000 ltr fuel tanks, four AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and two ASRAAMs (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and will highlight to the trade and public visitors that the Typhoon is agile regardless of weapon load, pulling up to an impressive 5.5g and in excess of 20 degrees angle of attack. Mark said: “I am looking forward enormously to displaying at RIAT this year. The aim is simply to demonstrate the Typhoon's power, performance and presence in a truly representative combat load. Different than most other clean aircraft' displays, I hope the observer will get a real sense of why Typhoon is not only at the forefront of world combat aviation, but also acknowledge the role of European technology, engineering and ingenuity in producing this 'awesome' aircraft”.
Most air displays are achieved by reducing fuel and weapon loads, however with this display, IPA 5 demonstrates significant weapon carriage and manoeuvrability whilst still able to demonstrate carefree handling for the pilot.
This will be the biggest ever Royal Tattoo for Typhoon and will highlight how Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced, new generation multi-role combat jet. Eurofighter will also be sponsoring the crew’s enclosure at the show.
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Designed and built by state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, INS Koswari is a highly manoeuvrable craft and ideally suited for deployment along the coast, a defence release said.
The craft was commissioned Tuesday by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command of the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Bikram Singh.
The craft's ability to operate in shallow waters at high speed, along with its day-and-night surveillance capability, coupled with enhanced fire power, was expected to give the requisite impetus to combating asymmetric threats emanating from the sea, it said.
Named after an island off Tuticorin, INS Koswari, measuring 52 meters in length and displacing 325 tonnes, could achieve speed in excess of 30 knots, the release added.
Lieutenant Commander Anil Kumar would be commanding the craft along with a crew of four officers and 35 sailors.
Fitted with advanced MTU engines and latest communication sets for the purpose of 'extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol', INS Koswari would be based at Karwar, under the naval officer-in-charge (Karnataka).
It would be deployed in coastal patrol and anti-piracy missions, along the Konkan coast and Lakshadweep group of islands, the release said.
The modified aluminium superstructure of the vessel reduces the top weight and enhances its ability to propel at high speeds keeping in mind critical requirements of the naval craft for improved stealth and networking capabilities.
INS Koswari is complied with the latest regulations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on sea pollution, the release said.
Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Chief Managing Director, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Rear Admiral (retd) K C Sekhar and senior naval officers attended the function.