LONDON — BAE Systems is scheduled to deliver a report to the British Ministry of Defence at the end of this month outlining how Typhoon combat jets could carry multiple weapon types on a single wing-mounted launcher.
A spokesperson for BAE Military Aircraft said it was anticipated the common weapons launcher could be available as early as 2019.
The company announced Monday June 1 that it has been working with weapon suppliers MBDA and Raytheon UK, using MoD British Ministry of Defence funding to research development of a common weapon-launcher for Royal Air Force and other Typhoon users.
Andy Eddleston, Typhoon's product development and future capability director at BAE, said, "Developing a common weapon launcher solution could significantly enhance Typhoon's ability to deliver increased weapons persistence and effects. Each launcher could be capable of carrying up to three weapons, providing a great deal of flexibility and persistence for the operator."
If the program goes ahead, Typhoon could launch MBDA's Brimstone 2 missile, Raytheon's Paveway IV precision guided bomb and the Spear Cap 3 missile off the same rail.
The MoD is still studying whether MBDA's Spear mini-cruise missile or Raytheon's Small Diameter Bomb II will be adopted by the RAF for its Selective Precision Effects at Range Capability 3 (Spear Cap 3) requirement. No decision is expected until 2018.
BAE has been looking at the potential for a common weapons launcher for some time and conducted early work last year as part of an initial assessment to integrate Brimstone 2 on the Typhoon.
Email: achuter@defensenews.com
Andrew Chuter is the United Kingdom correspondent for Defense News.
