Two Test Launches Deemed Successful

Aero-News has learned the first-ever release of air-to-surface weapons in the history of the EU Eurofighter program were carried out by EADS CASA Military Air Systems (MAS) earlier this month.

"As we have been nominated to conduct these first weapon release trials within the Eurofighter community, we are proud to announce that the next-generation combat aircraft Eurofighter is getting closer to reach the full multirole and subsequent swing-role capability", said Pablo de Bergia, CEO of EADS Defence & Security Systems Spain, after the tests.

For the first drop, EADS CASA test pilot Alfonso de Castro took off on May 4 from Moron AFB. The Eurofighter, accompanied by an F-18 chase aircraft of the Spanish Air Force, made several approaches to the planned impact point in order to check the release procedures and the video cameras for the flight-test documentation. In the hot run, a GBU-16 was jettisoned from the center pylon of the starboard wing.

The following day, company test pilot Carlos Pinilla dropped another GBU-16 from the inboard pylon of the starboard wing.

The GBU-16 is a 1,000 lbs. Paveway II-class NATO-standard air-to-surface laser-guided precision bomb to be implemented by the four Eurofighter core nations Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The weapon will enter into service with the first Eurofighter Typhoon Block 5 aircraft.

EADS Military reports both jettison tests were successful, and met all flight test objectives. Most importantly, crews verified the safe separation of the stores from their pylons, and the overall aircraft behavior during and after the jettison trials.

The tests also served to evaluate the armament control system, the flight control system and the overall avionics performance during the weapon jettison sequences. In order to reach the final GBU-16 clearance, the program will require four more test sorties, to be performed by EADS CASA within the next two months.

FMI: EADS Eurofighter website