The Royal Air Force has conducted flight trials of enhancements for Eurofighter Typhoons at a facility of BAE Systems in Britain.

The Phase 2A enhancements, part of the full Phase 2 Enhancement package, include improvements to software and avionics, such as upgrades to radar, defensive aids systems and targeting pods to increase threat awareness, pilot safety and targeting capabilities.

Testing of the package will be ongoing throughout 2016 with weapons integration tests also scheduled for this year.

"The P2Ea upgrade brings some major capability changes and some welcome tweaks to the existing capabilities," said Wing Cmdr. Steven Berry, Officer Commanding, 41(R) Test and Evaluation Suadron. "The enhancements mean as an air-to-surface platform, Typhoon has the simplicity and flexibility in the design to be easily employed in close air support missions or more complex scenarios like convoy over-watch."

The 41(R) Test and Evaluation Squadron had conducted two tests on an early version of the P2Ea -- an air-to-air exercise and an air-to-surface exercise targeting simulated targets. The feedback from these tests has been assessed and will be used to influence the final design of the enhancements.

In 2019 the Typhoon will be shouldering more defense tasks, taking over from the Tornado fighter, which is ging out of service. The full P2E upgrade for the RAF will include the integration of the MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile. The next phase of enhancements, P3E, will bring the MBDA Storm Shadow cruise missile and MBDA Brimstone 2 close air support weapon into service on RAF Typhoons.

Eurofighter is owned by BAE Systems, Alenia Aermacchi and Airbus Defense and Space, and co-ordinates the design, production and upgrade of the Typhoon.

Mahindra, Airbus Helicopters move forward on JV company
Handigarh, India (UPI) Jan 25, 2016 - Mahindra Defense and Airbus Helicopters are moving forward with plans for a joint venture company to manufacture military aircraft in India.

Representatives of the two companies, which signed a memorandum of understanding is July, signed Sunday a statement of intent for the JV in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President François Hollande.

"We have made significant progress in setting up the joint venture and together the companies are creating a world-class advanced helicopter production facility in India," Mahindra Group President for Aerospace and Defense S P Shukla said in statement.

Mahindra said both companies are also investigating possible sites for facilities and preparing for local supply chain companies.

"Through this partnership, we target building several of our globally leading helicopter models in India," Airbus Helicopters President and CEO Guillaume Faury said. "This will lead to the transfer of state-of-the-art technologies, development of manufacturing activities and creation of high-skilled jobs in India."

Formation of the joint venture company is subject to Indian regulatory approvals.