Typhoon fighter evolves to next level 24.01.13
54A milestone has been reached in the production of the Typhoon as the first Tranche 3 airframe is constructed at a factory in Lancashire.
The Typhoon has been in the hands of the RAF since 2007, becoming fully combat ready in 2008. The twin-engine multi-role fighter was put to the test in 2011 as it flew combat missions from Gioia Del Colle in Southern Italy, during the Libya campaign.
Although the Typhoon is already in service, that is not the end of its design and development story. Already its latest incarnation - the first to be built - has its major components in place and has recently had its electrical systems turned on for the first time.
Tranche three takes the Typhoon forward - refining and developing its systems and integrating the latest capabilities as required by its air force customers.