ALARM as well as BL755 were deleted from the requirements around 2003 or so.

I seem to recall that Typhoon was given the capability to carry and deliver Alarm. However, when Jane’s checked with MBDA late last year, the weapon was being being phased out of RAF service. It had been designed for a 15 year service life, later extended to 25 years.

And how should this work with no flutter and separation trials ever being conducted? There appears to be some software work that has been done on it, but nothing particular noteworthy.

Other operators already use ACMI/FPR for training/exercises.

The current Taurus/Storm Shadow trials are still flutter trials only i.e. How is the weapon affected by the aircraft and the other way round and are the mechanical interfaces up to the task. The carriage envelope will be expanded and separation trials will follow. Afterwards the electrical interfaces will be tested as well as the communication between the avionics and the weapon before we’ll finally see “firing trials”.

Interesting times lie ahead in terms of the aircraft’s evolution.

Looks like an eventful year ahead, what’s in the pipeline for 2014?

1.) After the first flight of BS0116 late last year, we are looking at the completion of qualification and clearance for the T3A EIS known as block 20.
2.) After the beginning of Storm Shadow integration last year, we’ll see further tests to progress the integration, flight testing of the KEPD-350 Taurus is slatted to begin as well.
3.) After accomplishment of the P1Eb/SRP12 flight trials late last year all evidence has been produced and existing aircraft can finally be upgraded, after they have received their national clearances.
4.) Drop 3 flight trials are basically complete and induction on RAF T1 Typhoons should follow in the not to distant future, probably followed by the Luftwaffe and other customers from 2015 onwards.
5.) Drop 4 development is well underway and flight tests should begin in summer.
6.) Captor-E flight trials will begin on IPA5 and will be supported by IPA8 from ~summer.
7.) Aerodynamic modifications known as the Aero Mod Kit are probably flight tested this year as well.
8.) P2Ea/T2EP2 development is well underway since quite some time, even before the formal contract was signed on 30th October last year. Flight tests may also begin towards the end of the year or possibly from early 2015.
9.) Meteor integration will be progressed as are certain elements for the next stage P2Eb/T2EP3 prior signature of another contract (I’m not too optimistic this happens this year)
10.) Export campaigns, right now it doesn’t look too well in the UAE, but there is still hope in the Middle East, but I’m once again not too optimistic that a new customer will be found this year. Hopefully the UK and KSA can conclude negitations on the revised SALAM deal.

Note: Everything being said must be consumed with care as it might be subject to changes.

Because it’s written by yourself?:highly_amused:

Considering the dry/wet thrust ratio of modern turbofan engines it’s surprising me that the Type 30 is said to produce “only” 107 kN of dry thrust. 117 kN would be inline with other modern turbofans.