Defence

RAF Typhoons take part in Red Flag 2014

Posted 28 January 2014

Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF) are at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada this month, taking part in one of the world's leading air-to-air combat training exercises - Red Flag - which began yesterday.

Above: RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at Nellis in 2013 acquitted themselves well.
Courtesy Jamie Hunter

Red Flag is the United States Air Force's premier air-to-air combat training event and this year takes place from the 27th of January to the 14th of February.

This year, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4’s from 6 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars, there are also Tornado GR-4s and an E-3D Sentry from the UK. The Royal Australian Air Force are expected to send F-18s and an E-7. The Tornado GR4s are from 9 (Bomber) Squadron of RAF Marham, and the Sentry AEW1 aircraft is from 8 Squadron of RAF Waddington.

Above: Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 jets from 9 (Bomber) Squadron.
Crown copyright

Participants typically include both US and allied nations' combat air forces. The exercise gives pilots the experience of multiple, intensive air sorties in the safety of a training environment. The allied nations will augment and perform alongside a contingent of US aircraft with the United States Air Force (USAF).

Above: An RAF Tornado GR4 looks on as a USAF F-22 Raptor lands at Nellis Air Force Base.
Picture: Sergeant Paul Oldfield RAF, Crown copyright

In 2013, Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft acquitted themselves with flying colours at the event attracting widespread praise for their agility, flexibility and ability to deliver what was described as ‘high kinetic’ effect. The Eurofighter’s Defensive Aids Sub Systems (DASS) and the aircraft’s Mission Data were major contributors to the jet’s success. The RAF have placed significant emphasis on developing the aircraft’s mission data — populating the Eurofighter Typhoon’s DASS and radar with vital information to enable peak performance in high-threat scenarios.

Above: RAF Eurofighter Typhoon at Nellis in 2013.
Courtesy Jamie Hunter

Nellis Air Force Base is one of the largest fighter bases in the world. The aircraft will operate from the Nevada Test and Training Range, which offers more than 15,000 square miles of airspace and 4,700 square miles of restricted land.

Above: An RAF Typhoon from 6 Squadron is tended by ground crew at Nellis Air Force Base.
Picture: Sergeant Paul Oldfield RAF, Crown copyright

More than 125 aircraft are scheduled to depart Nellis twice a day and aircraft may remain in the air for up to five hours. Flying times are scheduled to accommodate other flying missions at Nellis AFB and provide Red Flag participants with valuable training in planning and executing a wide-variety of combat missions.

Alberto Gutierrez, CEO of Eurofighter GmbH, said: “It is always a proud moment for us when our customers showcase the Eurofighter Typhoon at an event like this – especially when the aircraft is building itself a reputation for acquitting itself so well. We wish the RAF great success with the Exercise and we look forward to actively supporting them as we continue to work together to further grow the capabilities of what is already recognised to be a highly agile, potent and reliable aircraft.”