BAE Systems Typhoon FGR.4

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role high-performance combat aircraft which was a multinational 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.  

The RAF operates the Typhoon from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, RAF Lossiemouth in Morayshire, and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands whilst also maintaining a combat deployment at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and a defensive deployment to Qatar. The Typhoon Display Team is currently the only RAF fast jet solo display and is organised by 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby. The unit trains RAF pilots how to fly and fight in the Typhoon before they are posted to a front-line squadron.

The RAF Typhoon display team will once again be appearing at RIAT26 and will form part of our ‘Fighter Meet’ theme. This year’s display pilot is Flight Lieutenant Tom Nation – callsign ‘Dragon01’ - in recognition of his Welsh heritage and upbringing.

Photo Credit: Duncan Chase