Page 14 - Aviation News (February 2020)

Germany’s considering buying

Germany is

more Eurofighters

for a number of
Eurofighter Plans analyses the latest
roles. Jon Lake

developments.

ermany is throwing its weight Main photo: A stylised impression of what the weapons integrated under the UK’s
behind the ongoing and Airbus is calling a Eurofighter ECR capability. Centurion programme, including Storm
continuing development of the This recently announced development Shadow and Brimstone, could also be
GEurofighter Typhoon. It looks is initially aimed at replacing Germany’s acquired, as well as the Boeing GBU-54
set to procure large numbers of the type, Tornado ECRs in the SEAD role. Airbus Defence Laser JDAM. Having played ‘catch up’ with
having ruled out the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Space the UK’s Typhoon force, Airbus Defence
Lightning II as a potential replacement Developments Intime for NATO) involved and Space has revealed that the Luftwaffe
for the ageing fleet of Panavia Tornado the integration of the 1,000lb Raytheon is now preparing to forge ahead with an
strike/attack, reconnaissance and defence GBU-48 (Enhanced Paveway II) as an ambitious programme of upgrades and
suppression aircraft. initial air-to-ground weapon, together new procurement.
Once seen in Germany as being with the Rafael Litening III laser designator Germany originally procured 143
primarily a replacement for the McDonnell pod. TaktLwG 31 formally took delivery Typhoons – 33 in Tranche 1, 79 in Tranche
Douglas F-4F Phantom in the air defence of the GBU-48 in December 2017, and 2 and 31 in Tranche 3 –and is now looking
role, in recent years the Luftwaffe other Luftwaffe Eurofighter wings are now to upgrade its 110 Tranche 2/3 aircraft
has embraced the idea of giving the converting to the air-to-ground role. from Q2 2022. An ambitious retrofit
Eurofighter a wider spectrum of roles. Germany plans to add the Trojan programme will pave the way for new
Jagdbombergeschwader 31 (now Improved Penetrator (TIP) to the GBU- capabilities, including those mapped out
Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader/ 48, giving increased penetration but with for the Eurofighter Long Term Evolution
TaktLwG 31) converted to the Eurofighter reduced explosive power to minimise (LTE) as well as new technologies
in 2010, and Project ODIN (Operational collateral damage. In future, some of developed for the Future Combat Air

14 AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020

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