Eurofighter Tests MBDA Storm Shadow Missile Integration

[Zarvan]

Eurofighter Typhoon

The Eurofighter Consortium has demonstrated the integration of MBDA's storm Shadow Cruise Missile with the Typhoon air craft.

The Storm Shadow cruise missile has been released from a Eurofighter Typhoon for the first times, as part of an extensive capability update.

The test, conducted on Friday, involved releasing the precision-strike weapon from beneath the wing of Alenia Aermacchi’s instrumented production aircraft IPA2, the Eurofighter Consortium announced Friday.

The trials also verified the interface of the missile with the weapon system for pre-launch checks, demonstrated post-launch safe separation and the subsequent commencement of missile flight.

More than 5m (16.4ft) in length and weighing 1,300kg (2,860lb), the Storm Shadow has a range of more than 135nm (250km). The weapon is the “whopper” of the European manufacturer’s air-launched portfolio, noted MBDA UK military advisor Russ Martin.

Integration of the new Typhoon weapon forms part of an ongoing programme of enhancements for the European type, along with MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and Brimstone 2 air-to-surface missile.

Referring to the ongoing test programme, Sqn Ldr Alex Tennant from the UK’s Typhoon combined test team says Storm Shadow should be available for use following the delivery of approved P2E-standard software around the middle of 2017.

While the UK is looking to introduce the weapon with the Eurojet EJ200-powered type to coincide with the retirement of its Panavia Tornado GR4s around 2019, other operators are interested in fielding the enhancement sooner.

During a briefing at the show, Eurofighter capability development manager Paul Smith highlighted the Typhoon’s current role in providing air defence services for operator nations Austria, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the UK, plus during NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

Eurofighter Tests MBDA Storm Shadow Missile Integration

 

[AUz]

How does MBDA fair against Turkish SOM missile?

Both look pretty familiar in terms of range and stuff

 

[TaimiKhan]

ShaheemMissile already sent packing home with his troll comment which ruined the thread, any more such comments from others will lead to infractions.

 

[GR!FF!N]

Both Storm Shadow and Taurus(KEPD-350) has similar specs.I wonder what kind of advantage Storm Shadow offers over Taurus and why it is so costly.

 

[mkb95]

ShaheemMissile already sent packing home with his troll comment which ruined the thread, any more such comments from others will lead to infractions.

nice,every post and thread of his are either trolling or insulting somebody.

 

[cabatli_53]

How does MBDA fair against Turkish SOM missile?

Both look pretty familiar in terms of range and stuff

Storm Shadow is good for stationery big and strategic targets but SOM is a perfect missile system against all type of stationary and moving targets including ships.

 

[Audio]

How does MBDA fair against Turkish SOM missile?

Both look pretty familiar in terms of range and stuff

Storm Shadow SOM

Range 500km+ 250km
Warhead 450kg 230kg

It is a different class of missile. Kongsberg NSM would be a suitable comparison.

--------------------

Pic of test:

 

[AUz]

Storm Shadow SOM

Range 550km+ 250km
Warhead 450kg 230kg

It is a different class of missile. Kongsberg NSM would be a suitable comparison.

Hmm...MBDA seems more comparable to Pakistan's Ra'ad as compared to SOM.