Eurofighter Typhoon releases a Paveway IV precision guided bomb

 (FrontierIndia) :  A major milestone in the development of Eurofighter Typhoon’s multi-role combat capabilities has been achieved with the release of a Paveway IV precision guided bomb. The milestone was achieved when, for the first time, the avionics system was used to safely release the weapon in an hour long test flight over the Aberporth Range in Wales.
The integration of Paveway IV demonstrates a commitment to enhance and upgrade Typhoon’s capabilities in its ground attack role and forms part of the Typhoon Future Capability Upgrade.

Typhoon Test Pilot Nat Makepeace, who was at the controls of development aircraft IPA6, said “This was a successful test flight demonstrating the avionics system is able to use global positioning system (GPS) data and target information sourced from the aircraft to prepare for the release. All communication with the aircraft and safe release of the bomb went to plan.” The test is part of an ongoing programme to integrate Paveway IV onto the aircraft and builds on the environmental and jettison trials which have already been performed.
Paveway IV is expected to be provided to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) early in 2012 when the RAF will start operational evaluation.
This work further demonstrates the systems integration capabilities of the BAE Systems Typhoon team. These skills are essential for the continued development of the Typhoon aircraft. The team is working closely with the MOD, the Eurofighter partner nations and Raytheon on this development programme.