Royal Air Force Typhoon jets to receive key sensor upgrade

With a complex weapons integration program squared away, giving Royal Air Force Typhoon jets more punch, key sensors on the jet could see an upgrade.

The RAF’s test and evaluation squadron is already test flying the Litening 5 targeting pod in order to optimize its operation by Typhoon pilots. Work is also underway to update and improve the reliability of the jets Pirate passive infrared airborne track equipment, said Andy Flynn, BAE System’s Typhoon capability director.

Known as Project Centurion, the British late last year completed integration of MBDA’s Meteor, Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles on Typhoon in 47 months. At a cost of around £425 million, or $515.83 million, the program allowed the RAF to stand down the entire fleet of Tornado jets that had provided the primary strike capability.

Flynn told reporters during a briefing at the company’s Warton combat air site in northwest England Aug. 7 that the sensor work was “the next iteration of Centurion.”

“Agile spiral development and keeping the aircraft relevant is the phase we are in. We have done the big leap and it’s now about keeping it relevant,” he said.