The first two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters with initial air-to-ground capability have been delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF). In addition to undertaking air-to-air combat, it can now engage ground targets with GPS and laser guided bombs in the same mission.

Wing Commander Gavin Parker, Officer Commanding XI Squadron, took delivery of the first production programme version of the aircraft from BAE Systems on Monday, 6 August. XI Squadron, RAF Coningsby, will spend several months training to utilise the multi-role capabilities. In parallel with this, precision air-to-surface capability will be developed and implemented ahead of an operational capability that is planned for July 2008. From this date forwards it is planned that Typhoon will be ready to deploy on multi-role operations as and when required.

The two aircraft have been upgraded with the initial air-to-ground capability under the Retrofit 2 programme, bringing them to Block 5 standard. The programme will upgrade a total of 115 Typhoons across Europe and 25 new Block 5 aircraft are being produced.

The Block 5 standard gives Typhoon full air-to-air and initial air-to-ground capability with full carefree handling. The aircraft is cleared for the 9g envelope as intended, with additional features such as sensor fusion; full direct voice input; enhanced global positioning system; defensive aids sub-system countermeasures including automatic chaff and flare dispensers; radar air-to-surface modes including ground mapping; and initial Forward Looking Infra-Red.