Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role high performance combat aircraft which was a multi-national development between the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. Achieving its first flight in March 1994, deliveries to the partner nations began in August 2003 and the type first saw combat over Libya during 2010 and 2011. The Typhoon has been subject to constant upgrades throughout its service life and most recently has been earmarked for a new far more advanced radar together with the potential for a new touchscreen cockpit to be installed. The Typhoon can carry a variety of air to ground and air to air weaponry including the Meteor long range air to air missile which is arguably considered the best air to air missile in the world. In addition to the partner nations, the Typhoon is operated by Austria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.

The Italian Air Force achieved initial operating capability with the Typhoon in December 2005 and operate a fleet of 96 aircraft. The fleet is based at four bases throughout Italy and is primarily tasked with the defence of Italian airspace. Italian Typhoons have regularly deployed to Lithuania to support the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.

We are pleased to announce that the Italian Air Force are providing their popular F-2000 Typhoon solo display for this year’s Air Tattoo. Flown by test pilots from the 311° Gruppo Volo known as the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Experimental Flight Unit), the aircraft will be displaying as part of our celebration of the 75th anniversary of NATO.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper